What class is the samurai in?

Answer 1

The samurai were in the warrior class. This was during the rise and era of warrior dominance, right after the decline of imperial power. The Japanese court at Nara (which developed from the borrowing of Chinese political systems) grew in power because the court officials had gained enough power to take control over most of the imperial system. However, most of the people didn't like the rulers of the court because of their excessive luxury and arrogance in helping themselves rather than the people. Pursuit of land estates by elite families in provinces led to the development of little kingdoms/states. Local lords became political, warrior, law administering leaders that collected revenue for themselves and not the court. These lords, also known as bushi, built up own armies out of mounted troops called the samurai. Samurai and bushi developed a newer social class where they devoted their lives to sharpening their martial skills to defend their kingdom while depending upon peasants to supply them with food and other necessities.