武者(むしゃ)

むしゃ
noun
warrior; samurai
1. warrior; samurai
A warrior or samurai of the pre-modern era. In modern use, appears in historical contexts, festival names (the Boy's Day 五月人形(ごがつにんぎょう)), and set expressions such as 武者震(むしゃぶる)い (a thrill of anticipation before a challenge).
武者(むしゃ)の鎧(よろい)を見(み)た。
I saw a warrior's armor.
息子(むすこ)のために五月人形(ごがつにんぎょう)の武者(むしゃ)人形(にんぎょう)を飾(かざ)った。
We displayed a warrior doll among the Boy's Day figures for our son.
大会(たいかい)前(まえ)は武者(むしゃ)震(ぶる)いがして、逆(ぎゃく)に力(ちから)が湧(わ)いてきた。
Before the tournament I had a shiver of anticipation, which actually filled me with energy.

An older word, mainly used in historical and ceremonial contexts. Everyday modern speech uses 侍(さむらい) or 兵士(へいし) instead.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 武者(むしゃ)人形(にんぎょう): warrior doll (Boy's Day display)
  • 武者(むしゃ)修行(しゅぎょう): warrior training; (figurative) honing one's skills through hardship
  • 武者(むしゃ)震(ぶる)い: a thrill of anticipation before a challenge
  • 落(お)ち武者(むしゃ): a defeated warrior fleeing battle

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 侍(さむらい): samurai — more common everyday word for a warrior of that class
  • 兵士(へいし): soldier — modern, general term
  • 武士(ぶし): warrior class member — emphasizes social class
general
Added 2026.6.7 12:04
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