Ronin

A ronin (literally, wave man - one who is tossed about, like a wave in the sea) is a masterless samurai. A samurai became masterless from the ruin or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege.

Samurai were forbidden to become employed by another master without their previous master's permission. Also, ji-samurai, often poor and without choice, were forced to quit or escape their master.

Traditionally ronin were generally regarded as disreputable and were a target of humiliation and satire. The code requires samurai to commit seppuku to avoid the shame of becoming ronin. This could be forbidden by the daimyo, however.

In Rokugan, the ronin posed a serious social problem. Some formed ronin bands that threatened settlements and commerce, but also installed schools to teach their own kenjutsu techniques.