List of Samurai & Samurai Clans that Still Exist (Modern Day Samurai)

The samurai were an elite class of warriors who enjoyed a good deal of power in Japan from the 12th to 19th centuries. They are some of the most popular figures in Japanese history and captivate the imaginations of history buffs and fans of Japanese culture. 

While the samurai are best known as historical figures, samurai clans continue to exist in Japan today. The samurai warriors of centuries past no longer exist, but their descendants continue to live and work across Japan.

Many hold influential positions in Japanese society and honor the legacy of their ancestors in different ways.  

Let’s take a look at the samurai clans that still exist in Japan today and the influential people who belong to each group. 

The Evolution of the Samurai Class 

Since the very beginning of their history, the samurai organized themselves into clans controlled by a daimyo, or samurai lord. 

In the earliest days of the samurai, two clans fought for absolute power in Japan. The Minamoto and Taira clans met on the battlefield and on the water to determine who would reign supreme. 

Ultimately, the Minamoto clan gained dominance over the Taira and other lesser clans. Its members established the shogunate, which was a military dictatorship made up of samurai. 

The Sengoku, or Warring States period, is perhaps the most studied era of samurai history. This period in medieval Japanese history consisted of almost constant conflict between the top samurai clans and lesser clans eager for power.

After centuries of fighting and victory in the decisive Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, the Tokugawa clan reunified the country. The clan would rule Japan from 1603 to 1868. 

Relative peace between the samurai clans ensued and many samurai traded in their armor and weapons for bureaucratic roles in the Japanese government. 

This transition from warrior to bureaucrat happened peacefully for several reasons.

While the Meiji Restoration is considered the downfall of the samurai class, the samurai had been experiencing changes in their roles and responsibilities since the Battle of Sekigahara. 

By the early 19th century, many young samurai recognized the need for military reorganization. Western countries surpassed Japan in both military organization and technology. Eager to keep up with the times and provide better protection for their country, samurai began pushing for reform. 

In just a few decades prior to the Meiji Restoration, more samurai took on the role of civil servant than ever before. After centuries of peace during the Tokugawa Shogunate, the samurai were now comfortable working in bureaucratic positions.

The samurai class ultimately lost its warrior influence in Japan during and after the 1868 Meiji Restoration. The transition that had begun before the new government gained power was now completed. 

The Meiji government abolished the samurai class. Samurai now had no salary and no land and took up jobs in a wide range of industries. 

By 1870 an institutionalized military academy was founded. Carrying a samurai sword became illegal in 1876. With these new restrictions, samurai had no choice but take on new positions. 

Samurai Clans that Exist Today 

While the roles of the samurai changed before and after the Meiji Restoration, the descendants of samurai warriors live and work in Japan to this day. They hold jobs in various sectors and continue to represent the history and culture of Japan. 

The following are five modern day samurai clans with historical significance. 

1) Tokugawa Clan

The Tokugawa clan is most famous for its victory in the Battle of Sekigahara and its long rule over Japan. This clan held power until the Meiji Restoration of 1868 and was therefore the last shogunate. 

The last shogun of the Tokugawa clan was Tokugawa Yoshinobu. He ruled for a year before the shogunate collapsed. Although the clan could no longer hold power as military leaders, the Tokugawa clan found other ways to maintain their influence. 

Many Tokugawa members married their daughters to elites in order to secure high-ranking positions in society. Others took on leadership roles in major companies. 

Tsunari Tokugawa is one individual who gained influence through business. He worked with the Nippon Yūsen shipping company before retiring in 2002. He now heads the Tokugawa Foundation. This organization works to preserve the cultural treasures of the Tokugawa samurai family. 

Tsunari Tokugawa’s son is named Ierhiro Tokugawa. He is an author and translator. 

2) Shimazu Clan

The Shimazu clan formed from a branch of the mighty Minamoto clan. The clan members claim to be descendants of Emperor Seiwa Genji. 

At the height of its power, the Shimazu clan boasted extraordinary wealth. Instead of being vassals to the Tokugawa shogunate, members of the Shimazu clan became successful as “outsiders” separate from the influence of the Tokugawa group. 

The Shimazu clan lives on in Japan today through Nobuhisa Shimazu and his relatives. As of the early 2000s, Nobuhisa was the president of a major tourism company. 

3) Oda Clan

The Oda clan descended from the Taira clan and was one of the top clans in Japanese history. Its members participated in many battles and conflicts during the Warring States period.

The clan’s most famous member was the leader Oda Nobunaga. He attempted to reunify Japan and is remembered for his strategic skills. 

The Oda clan continues to produce famous and talented individuals. Oda Nobunari is a former competitive figure skater. During his time competing in the sport, Oda Nobunari earned the titles of Grand Prix Finalist, World Junior Champion, and Japanese National Champion. 

4) Imperial Clan

The Imperial clan of Japan boasts a very famous member. Emperor Naruhito took the throne in 2019 and is the 126th Japanese monarch. 

5) Date Clan

The Date clan was founded in the Kamakura period. One of the clan’s top leaders was Date Masamune.

Through strategy and superior military skills, Date Masamune earned a degree of independence from the dominant Tokugawa shogunate. Date Masamune also gained a good deal of northern land at the height of his power. 

Today, the legacy of the Date clan lives on in Date Yasamune. He is an avid fan of samurai history and culture and appears at samurai events across Japan.