Samurai lived by the Bushido, a Japanese warrior code that stressed the importance of justice, honor, altruism, sincerity and – perhaps above all – self-control. Bushido taught samurai to be fearless in battle and to be extremely loyal to the lords they served.

“Death before dishonor” was a serious slogan to the samurai. They lived and died by the strict warrior code, believing that death in battle or even seppuku was preferable to living a life of dishonor.