Samurai 侍

A samurai was a soldier who guarded the noble class originally. They were also called "bushi 武士".  A samurai fought in the battle field as a warrior. However, there were seldom battles in the Edo period. They worked as government officials under the shogun (the big boss of samurai) or daimyos (local lords).　Not warriors at that time.

Samurais @ Matsudo Museum、馬揃＠松戸市博物館

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai

Reference (Samurai as a local government official):

The diary of samurai officer "Genroku Otatami Bugyo" in the early Edo period、元禄御畳奉行の日記 (published in 1984) 　

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Shogun and Shogunate 将軍と幕府 (Glossary)