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Japan’s 13 Greatest Samurais and Swordsmen

Written By: David Mickov
Updated: September 1, 2024
Edited by: Juliana Cummings

Discipline. Valor. Honor. Dauntless bravery. These virtues define the samurai, some of the most respected warriors in military history. For many of these warriors, death was preferable to the humiliation of being captured by the enemy. 

From the 10th and 11th centuries up to the warring states period of the 16th century Sengoku Jidai, Japan’s rich history has given rise to extraordinary samurai. This article delves into 13 of the greatest samurai, who were also brilliant military commanders—including those with the most duels won, unifiers of Japan, and those with a lasting legacy.

13. Kusunoki Masashige (1294 – 1334)

Kusunoki Masashige saying goodbye to his son while knowingly marching to his death – Credits: Nobukazu

Kusunoki Masashige is a samurai revered for his unwavering loyalty, exceptional battle prowess, and guerilla tactics such as collapsing walls and bridges and employing stealth and disguise. 

Despite his short military career, Kusunoki’s final stand at the battle of Minatogawa cemented his place in history. Facing inevitable death, he fulfilled his emperor’s wish without surrendering to the enemy.

On Kusunoki’s martial prowess, Anthony Cummins says, “Kusunoki Masashige is considered the height of proper Samurai behavior… he used a lot of guerrilla tactics to defeat the enemies, such as collapsing bridges, collapsing walls, sneaking in and out of castles like a ninja, disguising himself or his troops as other people”.

12. Ashikaga Takauji (1305 -1358)

The Battle of Minatogawa where Ashikaga had his rival destroyed – Credits: Katsukawa, Shuntei

Ashikaga Takauji was a formidable samurai warrior and military commander who founded the Ashikaga shogunate, a feudal government that lasted for almost three centuries after facing many battles and even a civil war. 

With the conclusion of the Genko War, suppression of the Nakasendai Rebellion, and defeating his enemy in the battles of Tatarahama and Minatogawa, he established his own rulership.

11. Kato Kiyomasa (1562 – 1612)

Kato Kiyomasa hunting tigers in Korea with his trusty yari spear – Credits: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Kato Kiyomasa was an exceptional samurai warrior who began his military career at the age of 15, rising quickly through the ranks to become one of the Seven Spears of Shizugatake—a group of seven samurai known for their loyalty and bravery under Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

It is said that during the campaign in Korea, he hunted and wrestled tigers for sport or food. Aside from his great leadership in battle,  he was also instrumental in building many of Japan’s castles.

10. Date Masamune (1567 – 1636)

Date Masamune, otherwise known as the “One-Eyed Dragon” – Credits: Wiki Media

Date Masamune began his military career at the age of 14 and played a key role in the unification of Japan. Having lost an eye to smallpox, he was known as “The One-Eyed Dragon”, a characteristic which made him more intimidating to his enemies.

Date Masamune, The One-Eyed Tiger on a Japanese handguard – Credits: SwordIs

Although he secured many victories in great military battles, he was a powerful figure in northern Japan and is mostly remembered for serving samurai giants like Hideyoshi and Ieyasu.

9. Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537 – 1598)

Toyotomi Hideyoshi shown in the battle for Korea – Credits: Toshidama Gallery

Toyotomi Hideyoshi is one of the most revered samurai due to his great leadership and ingenuity in battle. He served under Oda Nobunaga before rising to become the second great unifier of Japan.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi on a Katana’s tsuba- Credits: SwordIs

His conquests extended beyond Japan, including an attempt to conquer Korea. His legacy is linked to many legends, such as the overnight construction of Sunomata Castle, a symbol of his strategic genius.

8. Takeda Shingen (1521 – 1573)

Takeda Shingen observing his enemies – Credits: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Takeda Shingen is one of the most powerful Japanese warriors. His military genius and strategic brilliance made him a formidable rival of other samurai warlords like Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

The Tiger of Kai represents power and calmness when placed on a Japanese Tsuba – Credits: SwordIs

His famous motto, “fast as the wind, gentle as the forest, ferocious as fire, and immovable as a mountain” reflects his disciplined approach to warfare. He is also known as the “Tiger of Kai” for taking control of his province and ensuring the welfare of his clan. 

7. Uesugi Kenshin (1530 – 1578)

Uesugi Kenshin sitting with a Daisho by his side – Credits: Utagawa Yoshikazu]

Uesugi Kenshin, sometimes known as the “Dragon of Echigo” and “The God of War,” was an exceptional samurai known for his battlefield prowess. His most famous battles are the Battle of Tedorigawa and the 4th Battle of Kawanakajima where he emerged victorious despite facing overwhelming odds, taking down titans such as Oda Nobunaga himself. 

The brave warrior and calm diplomat Uesugi Kenshin engraved on a tsuba – Credits: SwordIs
The 4th Battle of Kawanakajima is known as the bloodiest in the Sengoku Period. Using his legendary rotating wheel strategy to replace frontline troops with fresh ones, Kenshin showcased his military genius and solidified his legacy as one of Japan’s greatest warriors.

6. Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543 – 1616)

Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the samurai leader who became emperor Tokugawa Ieyasu of a unified Japan – Credits: Utagawa Toyonobu

A titan in Japan’s history, Tokugawa Ieyasu started his journey from a turbulent childhood to becoming the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, a structure that ruled Japan for over 250 years. Even in the midst of a losing battle, he upheld the bushido code, demonstrating calmness and foresight.

The Japanese unifier featured on a tsuba – Credits: SwordIs

His military tactics secured victories at battles such as Sekigahara and Komaki-Nagakute, making him one of Japan’s crucial unifiers and establishing the Edo Period, one of the most peaceful eras in Japanese history.

5. Minamoto Yoshitsune (1159 – 1189)

Minamoto Yoshitsune shown defeating the bandit chief Kumasaka Chohan when he was only 15 years old – Credits: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Minamoto Yoshitsune is a legendary samurai swordsman whose exploits included the defeat of the Taira clan at the battle of Dan-No-Ura.

He is also known for defeating Benkei, Japan’s powerful monk warrior, whom he defeated and gained as a loyal retainer. This duo would quickly rise through the ranks and establish their own rulership as well as their very own vassals and retainers. 

The Tachi was the weapon of the samurai before the Katana, and was most likely used by Yoshitsune himself – Credits: Japanese Sword Online Museum

His death is tragic, as he is forced to take his own life while Benkei died defending him.

4. Honda Tadakatsu (1548 – 1610)

The great samurai warrior Honda Tadakatsu and his horse Mikuniguro – Credits: Fine Art America

Honda Tadakatsu, or Heihachiro, was one of the greatest samurai swordsmen and generals under Tokugawa Ieyasu. Oda Nobunaga, one of the great Unifiers of Japan who experienced Honda’s fighting skills first hand was quoted to have said, “Tadakatsu’s bravery knows no bounds. He is a samurai among samurai, the Japanese Zhang Fei”.

He played a pivotal role in many massive battles, such as Okehazama, Anegawa, Mikatagahara, Nagashino, Komaki Nagakute, and Sekigahara. 

Tadakatsu, a samurai warrior who was often seen on his horse – Credits: Unique Japan
Known for his deer antlers and black armor, Tadakatsu fought in over 55 battles without sustaining a significant injury. He died at 63, not from a battle wound, but from a self-inflicted woodcarving accident.

3. Sanada Yukimura (1567 – 1615)

Sanada Yukimura in front of Osaka Castle – Credits: Wiki Media

Sanada Yukimura, or Sanada Nobushige, was a warrior and an exemplar of the samurai code. In his service to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he quickly rose through the ranks due to his bravery and skill especially in the Imjin War in Korea, marking him as the “number one warrior in Japan”.

A Bushido Katana that is meant to bring the samurai spirit alive in the sword – Credits: SwordIs

He has one of the most unforgettable final stands, defending Osaka Castle to his last breath. His heroic actions during this conflict included defending the gates and nearly killing the enemy leader in a last-ditch charge.

2. Oda Nobunaga (1534 – 1582)

Oda Nobunaga, one of the unifiers of Japan that is recognized as the greatest samurai leader – Credits: Kuniyoshi Utagawa

Oda Nobunaga is one of the greatest samurai and a key unifier of Japan. Despite facing challenging circumstances, he managed to overcome them all using his samurai code and bravery. 

The great samurai leader Oda Nobunaga depicted on a Tsuba – Credits: SwordIs

Oda’s tactics and willingness to take on any battle headfirst revolutionized the landscape of samurai warfare. Having escaped death and secured victories in battles such as Okehazama and Nagashino, he rose to power and shaped the future of Japan.

1. Miyamoto Musashi (1584 – 1645)

Miyamoto Musashi depicted with dual-wielding Katana swords battling his enemies – Credits: Yoshifusa Utagawa

Miyamoto Musashi is perhaps the most famous samurai in history, known for his unmatched dueling skills and philosophical writings. He upheld the bushido code and practiced martial arts from a young age, winning his first duel at the age of 13.

Living as a ronin—a wandering masterless samurai, he traveled across Japan and engaged in over 60 duels. Remaining undefeated throughout including his famous duel against Sasaki Kojiro, he became a legendary figure even in modern media today.  

The double loop tsuba guard the Musashi used on his Katana – Credits: SwordIs

After his life of dueling, he entered the service of a daimyo and led successful battles such as the Battle of Sekigahara, the Battle of Osaka, and the Shimabara Rebellion, where he was revered as a military strategist.

Musashi Miyamoto’s philosophy such as the Dokkodo (The Path of Loneliness) and The Book of Five Rings are still studied today.
Sources Cited
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  3. Sato, K. (1983, April 1). The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide.
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  6. Bryant, A. J. (1989, May 25). The Samurai (Vol. 23). Osprey Publishing. 
  7. Ogawa, M., & Harada, K. (2009, October 1). Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868.
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