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The Samurai Trivia Quiz

I love the Samurai. I hope this quiz will aid in learning about the culture and traditions of these warriors.

A multiple-choice quiz by Bdawg89. Estimated time: 4 mins.

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Author
Bdawg89

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
293,415

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1827

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 107 (3/10), Takeyoshi (8/10), Guest 82 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Samurai is derived from the Japanese word meaning what? Hint

to serve

to sacrifice

to fight

to lead

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What is the Bushido? Hint

a Samurai's armor

the Samurai warrior code

a Japanese sword

a military formation

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What does the word "Bushido" mean? Hint

"Life of Honor"

"Honor of the Warrior"

"Honor in Death"

"Way of the Warrior"

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. The Samurai code included the practice of "Seppuku". What is this? Hint

ritual suicide

Go (a board game)

tea ceremony

a dance

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Although the Samurai used many different weapons, one particular weapon was placed above all the others. What is it? Hint

yami (spear)

nunchaku

katana (sword)

yumi (longbow)

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The "yumi", a longbow, was one of the many weapons used by a Samurai. Was the art of using a longbow called? Hint

ashigaru

kyujutsu

daisho

daimyo

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Question 7 of 10

7. A Samurai with no attachment to a clan, lord or Daimyo is called a what? Hint

a Shi

a Ronin

a Musha

a Suwamono

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Starting in the "Momoyama period" only the Samurai were allowed to carry weapons. What ruler during this period enacted this law? Hint

Akechi Mitsuhide

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Oda Nobunaga

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

9. Despite the romantic 20th century portrayal of the samurai, they could be disloyal, dishonorable and even cowardly. A very notable example of the treacherous Samurai was a retainer of Oda Nobunaga. What is this Samurai's name? Hint

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Date Masamune

Sanada Yukimura

Akechi Mitsuhide

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following movie characters is NOT based on the Samurai? Hint

Clint Eastwood's "A Man with no Name"

"The Jedi" portrayed in "Star Wars"

"Diego De La Vega" portrayed in "The Mask of Zorro"

"Yojimbo" portrayed in "A Fistful of Dollars"

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 16 2024 : Guest 107: 3/10
Nov 11 2024 : Takeyoshi: 8/10
Nov 09 2024 : Guest 82: 7/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 76: 5/10
Oct 27 2024 : Guest 1: 6/10
Oct 12 2024 : ssabreman: 10/10
Oct 12 2024 : daswan: 6/10
Oct 12 2024 : Jaarhead: 6/10
Oct 12 2024 : fado72: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Samurai is derived from the Japanese word meaning what?

Answer: to serve

The word "samorau" means to serve. A samurai is a warrior in the service of a lord or Daimyo.

2. What is the Bushido?

Answer: the Samurai warrior code

The Bushido code was closely observed by the Samurai. The code was heavily influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism. In particular, it stressed loyalty, frugality, martial arts mastery and honor until one's death.

3. What does the word "Bushido" mean?

Answer: "Way of the Warrior"

"Bushido" means "Way of the Warrior". The Bushido code was closely followed by the Samurai and was their way of life.

4. The Samurai code included the practice of "Seppuku". What is this?

Answer: ritual suicide

Seppuku was considered an honorable way to die. If captured by an enemy a Samurai would prefer to die by his own sword than live as captive.

5. Although the Samurai used many different weapons, one particular weapon was placed above all the others. What is it?

Answer: katana (sword)

The samurai used various weapons, but the katana is the weapon that is synonymous with samurai. They believed that the katana was so valuable and precious, they often gave them names and considered it as one of the living. The katana did not become the primary weapon until the Edo period. The tachi and uchigatana were used prior to the katana when swords first came to the battlefield.

6. The "yumi", a longbow, was one of the many weapons used by a Samurai. Was the art of using a longbow called?

Answer: kyujutsu

"Kyujutsu" literally translates to "skill of the bow". The longbow was important throught Japanese millitary history even after the invention of firearms.

7. A Samurai with no attachment to a clan, lord or Daimyo is called a what?

Answer: a Ronin

Ronin literally means "wave man" because a ronin's destiny was to travel aimlessly like the waves of the ocean. Early on in the history of the samurai a ronin was a samurai whose lord died. Later, the term was also associated with a samurai who was banished or simply chose to become a ronin.

8. Starting in the "Momoyama period" only the Samurai were allowed to carry weapons. What ruler during this period enacted this law?

Answer: Toyotomi Hideyoshi

In the year 1588, Hideyoshi forbade ordinary peasants from owning weapons and started a "sword hunt" to confiscate arms.

Answer: Akechi Mitsuhide

Akechi Mitsuhide did not assassinate Nobunaga personally; he forced him to commit seppuku. Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu rushed to avenge the death of Nobunaga. Hideyoshi reached Mitsuhide first and defeated him at the Battle of Yamazaki.

10. Which of the following movie characters is NOT based on the Samurai?

Answer: "Diego De La Vega" portrayed in "The Mask of Zorro"

Diego De La Vega and the character of Zorro is most likely based on the real-life "Mexican Robin Hood", Joaquin Murrieta.

Source: Author Bdawg89

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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