Ronin

Ronin, class of masterless samurai, who had lost their place in the normal loyalty pattern of Japanese feudal society. Samurai could become ronin for various reasons, such as the death of their lord, their own transgressions, or loss in battle. Although some ronin, once they had lost their fiefs, became farmers or even monks, others found it difficult to adjust to their new status and tended to become a disruptive element, sometimes resorting to banditry. The famous incident of the 47 ronin occurred in the early 1700s. After their lord had been first insulted beyond endurance and then, having attempted to redress his grievances, was ordered to commit suicide, the 47 ronin plotted to avenge him, but in so doing forfeited their own lives. An example of bushido, the samurai code of ethics, at its noblest, the incident became a favorite theme of fiction and drama.