Japanese word

武者

Pronunciation

Romajimusha

Meaning

  • nounwarrior

Example

多くの武者が城を守りました。ō ku no mu sha ga shiro o mamo ri ma shi ta

Many warriors protected the castle.

Illustration for 武者 (warrior)

More examples

博物館では、鎧を身につけた武者の人形を展示しています。haku butsu kan de wa yoroi o mi ni tsu ke ta mu sha no nin gyō o ten ji shi te i ma su

The museum displays a doll of a warrior wearing armor.

Core concept

武者 (musha) evokes a historically grounded fighter whose identity centers on training and participation in battle.

Common phrases

  • 武者行列mu sha gyō retsu

    warrior procession

  • 武者絵mu sha e

    warrior painting

  • 武者姿でmu sha sugata de

    dressed as a warrior

Similar words

武士bushi: A member of the hereditary warrior class in premodern Japan.
侍samurai: A warrior who serves a lord or master in historical Japan.
戦士senshi: A person who fights in a war or battle.

Definition in Japanese

武芸にすぐれ、戦いを担う者。bu gei ni su gu re tataka i o nina u mono

Word origin

武者 (musha) combines 武 (mu, "martial") with 者 (sha, "person"), giving the literal sense of a person associated with martial skill.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese cultural events, 武者 (musha) can describe a person dressed as a traditional warrior, linking the word to historical pageants and reenactments.

Other meanings

  • samurainoun

Word lists with this word