Samurai stories : Japan's elite warriors 

Kamikaze pilots

Famously, the Japanese had a squadron of pilots who would carry out suicide flights in order to blow up their targets. There was much honor in dying for your country.

Samurai stories : Japan's elite warriors 

WWII (1938-1945)

During WWII, Japanese soldiers returned to the samurai principle of "death before honor." They would carry out banzai attacks where a group of soldiers would charge at the enemy with no regard for their own safety.

Samurai stories : Japan's elite warriors

Their legacy

The culture of the samurai left an indelible mark on Japanese culture in the shape of Bushido. In 1912, Bushido became the national moral code and much of the national identity was built around it.

Samurai stories : Japans elite warriors

Normal people

The samurai had no choice but to assimilate into society as politicians, clerks, lawyers, and so on. Anything but warriors.

Samurai stories : Japan's elite warriors 

Rising up

They did not go down without a fight. There were several samurai uprisings, but the imperial powers stamped them down. It was ironic considering the samurai helped them get back into power in the first place.

Samurai stories : Japan's elite warriors

Stripped of all

The samurai were brought to their lowest when their stipend was transferred into government bonds. The money they received before was worth much more than what they received from the bonds.

Samurai stories : Japan's elite warriors 

A new Japan

In 1871, feudalism was abolished, which left samurai without a role in society. At the same time, they were banned from having katanas unless they were part of the national army.

Samurai stories : Japan's elite warriors 

Restoration

In 1861, the Meiji Restoration saw the emperor restored to power by the traditionalists. The samurai class played a large hand in the restoration, but ultimately it was not to their benefit.

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Samurai stories : Japan's elite warriors

Losing tradition

After a few centuries, Japan was becoming more familiar with the West. In 1858, the Tokugawa leadership started making trade deals that brought them much unpopularity among the conservative Japanese, including the samurai.