Is a ronin still a samurai?
Robert Clark
Published Jan 06, 2026
In the 19th century, Emperor Meiji abolished the Samurai class and the ronin died with them.
Are samurai and ronin the same?
Feudal Japanese Samurai Warriors Serving No DaimyoA ronin was a samurai warrior in feudal Japan without a master or lord — known as a daimyo. A samurai could become a ronin in several different ways: his master might die or fall from power or the samurai might lose his master's favor or patronage and be cast off.