Myths vs. Facts 真偽
Common claims about samurai examined against the historical record. Each entry carries a verdict and the evidence behind it.
Did Samurai Only Use the Katana?
Samurai were defined by the katana; it was their primary and most-used weapon
The 47 Ronin: History and Legend
The 47 Ronin were noble samurai who perfectly embodied Bushido by avenging their lord and accepting death
Did Samurai Never Surrender?
Samurai would always fight to the death and never surrender — capture was considered a dishonour worse than death
Were All Samurai Male?
Samurai were always male — women in feudal Japan were passive and domestic, not warriors
Were Ninja Just Samurai?
Ninja were just a type of samurai — the same warrior class using different tactics, essentially interchangeable with regular samurai
Did Samurai Always Fight with Honour?
Samurai were bound by an iron code of honour that made betrayal and deception unthinkable — they always fought fairly, face to face, with their true identity known