The samurai are often reduced to armor, swords, and legend. In this in-depth conversation with British Museum curators and scholars, we explore the real history of the samurai: their social roles, global influence, cultural legacy, and how their image was shaped over centuries. From medieval warfare to modern pop culture, this interview challenges everything we think we know about the samurai. Featuring insights from Rosina Buckland and Oleg Benesch, co-authors of Samurai, published alongside the British Museum’s major exhibition.