The Samurai were the noble warriors of Japan. Born from a feudal society and continuous military conflicts, they had to develop their own code of conduct, their own ethics, in order to function as a distinct class. This mission was fulfilled by Bushido, which, however, did not remain confined to the narrow limits of the Samurai class but permeated the entire Japanese society. Bushido taught the Samurai not only bravery and courage on the battlefield but also loyalty, politeness, kindness, and sincerity. The Samurai were not merely excellent warriors and highly skilled handlers of weapons of war, but they became the model for an entire society.