The samurai (or bushi) were the members of the military class, the Japanese warriors. Samurai were
supposed to lead their lives according to the ethic code of bushido ("the way of the warrior"). Strongly
Confucian in nature, Bushido stressed concepts such as loyalty to one's master, self discipline and
respectful, ethical behavior. After a defeat, some samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) by
cutting their abdomen rather than being captured or dying a dishonorable death.