The Japanese kanji for samurai: 侍
漢字 Kanji 24 of 40
The kanji for samurai: 侍
Literally 'one who serves' — a person (亻) beside a temple (寺).
侍
- Meaning
- samurai
- Kun reading
- samurai (Japanese)
- On reading
- JI (from Chinese)
- Strokes
- 8
書き順Stroke order
侍 is written in 8 strokes, in this order. The red line is the new stroke at each step. Japanese is written top to bottom and left to right, and the order matters: it is what makes handwriting flow.
Stroke data from KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, CC BY-SA 3.0.
使い方In everyday Japanese
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 侍ジャパン | Samurai Japan | Japan's national baseball team |
| 侍女 | jijo | a lady-in-waiting |
敬意Wearing it
A Japanese reader sees 'one who serves' as much as the warrior. Popular with visitors, and with Japan's own national teams.
Every kanji in 5C5V Studio is checked for meaning and context. Read our Respect Notes.
工房 Made just for you
Wear 侍
Open 5C5V Studio, pick 侍 from the kanji, choose a tee, hoodie, cap or beanie, and see it mocked up before you buy. Printed or embroidered, made to order.