Q 01/05

What code of conduct guided the samurai, emphasizing loyalty, honor and martial mastery?

A) Shinto

B) Bushido

C) Kokugaku

D) Zenrin

Answer · why

B) Bushido

Bushido was for centuries a shifting set of unwritten expectations rather than one written code, and individual clans interpreted it in their own way.

Q 02/05

What was a samurai called once his master died or cast him off?

A) Shogun

B) Ashigaru

C) Hatamoto

D) Ronin

Answer · why

D) Ronin

The word literally means 'drifter' or 'wandering man', and some ronin also cut all ties with their family or clan.

Q 03/05

Which ritual act of suicide was practiced by samurai to restore honor or avoid capture?

A) Kendo

B) Seppuku

C) Ikebana

D) Misogi

Answer · why

B) Seppuku

Seppuku, also called harakiri, was considered the most honourable form of capital punishment available to a samurai who had committed a serious offenc...

Q 04/05

Which curved, single-edged sword did samurai pair with the shorter wakizashi?

A) Tachi

B) Kodachi

C) Katana

D) Ōdachi

Answer · why

C) Katana

Katana blades are curved and single-edged, with a circular or squared guard and a grip long enough for two hands.

Q 05/05

In which period did the samurai formally rise to power with Japan's first military government?

A) Kamakura Period

B) Heian Period

C) Edo Period

D) Meiji Restoration

Answer · why

A) Kamakura Period

The Kamakura Period (1185–1333) marked the samurai's formal rise to power: Japan's first shogunate was seated at Kamakura, shifting real authority fro...