Top 10 Famous Samurai thought out the Japanese history
Samurai, the iconic warriors of feudal Japan, are renowned for their loyalty and discipline. The word "samurai" literally means "to serve" in Japanese. In this article, we will introduce the top 10 samurai. While they may not necessarily have been the best fighters on the battlefield, each of them holds a special place in history and has had a significant influence on both Japan and the world.
Table of Content
- Miyamoto Musashi 宮本 武蔵
- Oda Nobunaga 織田 信長
- Toyotomi Hideyoshi 豊臣 秀吉
- Tokugawa Ieyasu 徳川 家康
- Tomoe Gozen 巴 御前
- Saigō Takamori 西郷 隆盛
- Sanada Yukimura 真田 幸村
- Date Masamune 伊達 政宗
- Minamoto no Yoshitsune 源 義経
- Hattori Hanzo 服部 半蔵
Miyamoto Musashi 宮本 武蔵
Probably the most famous samurai in Japanese history, Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645) was a legendary swordsman, strategist, and artist from the late Sengoku to early Edo period, born in Okayama. He won his first duel at age 13 and participated in major battles like Sekigahara and the Siege of Osaka, boasting over 60 undefeated duels. In his later years, he was invited by the Hosokawa clan to teach martial strategy in Kumamoto Castle, where he wrote The Book of Five Rings.
His most famous battles include the “Ichijōji duel,” where he defeated 76 members of the Yoshioka school alone, and the legendary duel against Sasaki Kojiro (佐々木 小次郎)on Ganryū Island. There are many stories about the duel’s cause, the opponent’s name and background, and even the details of the fight itself. But the most popular version is Miyamoto intentionally arrived late to interfere Sasaki Kojiro, and used a long, boat oar like wooden sword to defeat Sasaki Kojiro’s long tachi(太刀).
Musashi founded the “Niten Ichi-ryū 二天一” style, which emphasized dual wielding (katana and wakizashi). His favorite katana is 無銘金重, “Mumei Kaneshige” (Unnamed Kaneshige), it is a more straight katana with relatively shallow curvature (sori)—only about 1.7 cm, this makes it more suitable for thrusting rather than slashing
In Western pop culture, Musashi frequently influenced games and anime like Fate (Saber class), Ghost of Tsushima, Nioh, and the manga Vagabond. The 1954 Oscar-winning film Miyamoto Musashi introduced him to Western audiences. His dual-sword technique and Zen-inspired philosophy continue to influence martial arts worldwide.
Oda Nobunaga 織田 信長
Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) was a revolutionary daimyo of the Sengoku period, born in Owari Province (now Aichi). Known as the “Fool of Owari” in his youth, he rose to fame by defeating Imagawa Yoshimoto at the Battle of Okehazama with only 4,000 troops.
He championed the slogan Tenka Fubu (“Rule the Realm by Force”), installed Ashikaga Yoshiaki as shogun, and seized Kyoto, effectively ending the Ashikaga shogunate.
Through ruthless innovation—burning Mt. Hiei, using volley fire at Nagashino—he crushed rivals and unified much of Japan. However, he was betrayed by retainer Akechi Mitsuhide and died in the Honno-ji Incident.
Nobunaga was a pioneer of military reform, adopting firearms and Western armor. His famous weapons include the “Heshikiri Hasebe へし切長谷部” , a legendary katana famous for it’s sharpness, the name means press cut, origin from a story that when a disrespectful servant hid under a wooden shelf, Nobunaga pressed this katana down onto the shelf, cutting it—and the servant—clean in half.
Nobunaga’s armor was highly distinctive for his time. While most samurai still wore traditional Japanese armor (Oyoroi), Nobunaga adopted a European-style chestplate construction. His nanban-dō (南蛮胴 Western-style cuirass) closely resembled European armor, reflecting his openness to foreign influence and innovation.
In the West, his complex persona—both as “Demon King of the Sixth Heaven 第六天魔王” and visionary leader—appears in the Fate series (Archer class), Nobunaga’s Ambition, and DC’s Batman Ninja, shaping global views of Japan’s warlords.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi 豊臣 秀吉
Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598) was a key unifier of Japan in the late Sengoku period. Born to a peasant family in Owari Province, he rose through the ranks under Oda Nobunaga. His strategic acumen first shone during the “One-Night Castle” raid at Sunomata.
After Nobunaga's death, Hideyoshi quickly defeated Akechi Mitsuhide at the Battle of Yamazaki and later eliminated Shibata Katsuie, taking over Nobunaga’s legacy. Through strategic marriages and military campaigns, he subdued other daimyo, unifying Japan by 1590 and becoming the first commoner to rule the country as Kampaku (imperial regent). He was granted the surname “Toyotomi” by the emperor.
He enacted land reforms (Taikō kenchi) and the sword hunt, solidifying the samurai-peasant distinction. His iconic gears included the “Ichigo Hitofuri 一期一振” katana and the sun-shaped crest kabuto. His later Korean invasions failed, and he died in 1598.
In Western media, Hideyoshi appears in Fate (Rider class), Nioh, Samurai Warriors, and DC’s Batman Ninja, often depicted as a symbol of ambition and charisma.
Tokugawa Ieyasu 徳川 家康
Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616) founded the Tokugawa shogunate, ruling Japan for over 260 years. Born in Mikawa Province, he spent his youth as a hostage to the Oda and Imagawa clans. After Oda Nobunaga's rise, Ieyasu allied with him and expanded his territory.
Following Nobunaga’s death, he submitted to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was relocated to Edo. After Hideyoshi's death, Ieyasu defeated the Western Army at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and became shogun in 1603. He later crushed the Toyotomi family at the Siege of Osaka, securing peace.
Known for patience and strategy, he survived defeats like Mikatagahara and manipulated alliances at Sekigahara. His armor included a golden set from Imagawa, a “roaring lion” set designed to intimidate, and Western-style Italian armor resistant to bullets. Tokugawa owns many famous katana, but his favorite one is the 物吉貞宗 Monoyoshi Sadamune, a wakizashi(脇差) he believes that will bring victory whenever he wore it into battle.
In Western media, he appears in the 2024 TV series Shōgun, Nobunaga’s Ambition, Samurai Warriors, and anime like Samurai Deeper Kyo, representing the strategist who cemented peace through power.
Tomoe Gozen 巴 御前
Tomoe Gozen (dates unknown) was a legendary female samurai of the late Heian to early Kamakura period. Born to a powerful Kiso family, she was raised alongside Minamoto no Yoshinaka and later became both his lover and general.
She fought in the Genpei War, notably at the Battle of Kurikara and the final Battle of Awazu, where she captured and beheaded a Taira general during a desperate last stand. Her fate remains uncertain—some say she committed suicide, remarried, or became a nun.
She was famed as a female samurai skilled with the bow(yumi) and naginata and wore symbolic armor and long hair as a sign of devotion.
In Western works, she appears in Fate/Grand Order (Archer class), Tiger Knight, Rise of Kingdoms, and Batman Ninja, often portrayed as a fierce and loyal “demon-born heroine.”
Saigō Takamori 西郷 隆盛
Saigō Takamori (1828–1877) was a central figure in Japan’s Meiji Restoration and known as one of the “Three Great Nobles.” Born to a low-ranking samurai family in Satsuma (now Kagoshima), he first supported shogunate reform but later helped bring it down.
He formed the powerful Satsuma-Chōshū alliance, helped overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate in the Boshin War, and ensured a peaceful surrender of Edo. He was later appointed Marshal.
Clashing with the new government over foreign policy, he resigned and led the failed Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, dying by ritual suicide at Shiroyama. He wore a blend of traditional Satsuma gear and Western uniforms, wielding both sword and gun.
Saigō inspired the 2004 film The Last Samurai (Ken Watanabe’s character is based on him), appears in Fate/Grand Order, and leads the Satsuma faction in Total War: Shogun 2, embodying the struggle between tradition and modernization.
Sanada Yukimura 真田 幸村
Sanada Yukimura (1567–1615), the second son of Sanada Masayuki, was a renowned general at the end of the Sengoku period. Initially a hostage to the Uesugi and later Toyotomi clan, he joined the Western Army at Sekigahara, tying down 38,000 Tokugawa troops with only 2,500 men.
Exiled after defeat, he returned in 1614 to defend Osaka Castle, famously designing the “Sanada-maru” fortification. In 1615, during the Summer Siege, he led his red-armored elite “Red Brigade” in a fierce charge, forcing Tokugawa Ieyasu to retreat three times before dying in battle.
He was known for loyalty and tactics. Sanada Yukimura’s iconic weapon is his 大千鳥十文字槍 Ōchidori Jūmonji Yari, a spear (Yari) with symmetrical side blades branching out from the central blade.
He features prominently in Samurai Warriors, Fate, and Batman Ninja, immortalized as a symbol of honor and tragic heroism.
Date Masamune 伊達 政宗
Date Masamune (1567–1636) was a powerful warlord from the late Sengoku to early Edo period and founder of Sendai Domain. Nicknamed the “One-Eyed Dragon” due to smallpox, he rose to power at age 18.
He crushed rivals in northern Japan and submitted to Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1590. Supporting Tokugawa at Sekigahara, he was awarded a large domain. He built Sendai Castle and later sent envoys to the Vatican to open international trade.
His famous exploits include mass executions to intimidate foes, narrow battlefield victories, and feigned death to avoid Hideyoshi’s wrath.
Date Masamune’s favorite katana is 燭台切光忠 Shokudaikiri , means Candlestick Cutter, According to legend, he used this very tachi to execute a retainer who had committed a crime, striking him down while he was hiding behind a candlestick stand. Date Masamune’s crescent moon kabuto is also very unique and famous.
In the Western pop culture, he appears in Nioh, Samurai Warriors, and Fate/Grand Order, his image shaping the archetype of the bold, stylish warlord.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune 源 義経
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159–1189) was a brilliant general of the late Heian period. The ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, he was raised in Kurama Temple after the Heiji Rebellion and later found refuge with the Fujiwara in the north.
He joined his brother Yoritomo’s campaign against the Taira and won major victories: a cliff charge at Ichi-no-Tani, a decoy attack at Yashima, and the naval tactics at Dan-no-Ura that crushed the enemy fleet.
Feared for his brilliance, Yoritomo turned on him. Yoshitsune fled and died at age 30, committing suicide at Koromogawa.
He’s typically depicted with a tachi sword and red Oyoroi armor. In Western pop culture, he appears in Warriors Orochi 3, Fate, and Batman Ninja, often stylized as a light-wielding, agile swordsman with tactical genius.
Hattori Hanzo 服部 半蔵
Hattori Hanzō (1542–1596), real name Hattori Masanari, was a legendary ninja and leader of the Iga school who served Tokugawa Ieyasu. Nicknamed “Demon Hanzo” for his fierce skills, he led Iga ninja in key missions.
In 1572, he rescued Ieyasu during the Battle of Mikatagahara, and in 1582, he led 30 ninja across enemy lines to escort Ieyasu to safety after the Honno-ji Incident. He later created the shogunate’s intelligence unit, the “Oniwaban.”His weapons included a long spear, ninja sword, shuriken, and smoke bombs.
Hanzō is a global ninja icon in games like Samurai Shodown, Samurai Warriors, Warriors Orochi, Fate (Assassin class), and even Overwatch (Hanzo character inspired by him), perpetuating the legend of the ninja master.
*Image source: Wikipedia
