Their importance and influence grew during the Heian Period (794-1185) when the powerful landowners hired them for the protection of their properties. In the latter phase of the Heian Period, the most powerful military families, the Minamoto and Taira, has taken political control over Japan and fought wars for supremacy. When shogun Minamoto Yoritomo established a new government in Kamakura in 1192, the shogun (the highest military officer) became the ruler of Japan.
The samurai stood at the top of the social heirarchy and had many privileges. On the other hand, he was supposed to be a good example to the lower classes by following the principles of Bushido (the way of the warrior). Some of the samurai's most important principles were loyalty to his master, self-discipline and respectful, ethical behavior. After a defeat or another dishonorable event, many samurai chose to commit suicide by cutting their abdomen with a sword in order to preserve their honor. Such ritual suicide is called seppeku or harakiri.
During the Edo period, which was an era of peace, most samurai had nothing to fight anymore and dedicated themselves also to intellectual studies such as literature, history or the tea ceremony. Especially during the 17th century, masterless and unemployed samurai (ronin) caused some problems to the government.
The sword (katana) is the distinguishing mark of the samurai and as a result any samurai who has lost her weapon is considered dishonored until such a time that she can reclaim it or destroy that which caused its loss.
