What guiding principle did the Samurai adhere to?

The guiding principle that the Samurai adhered to is the Bushido. Bushido is a code of conduct that emphasizes virtues such as loyalty, honor, bravery, and self-discipline. It served as a moral framework for Samurai, dictating their behavior both in battle and in everyday life. This code influenced their approach to service, loyalty to their lord, and their interactions with others, forming the ethical backbone of the Samurai class over the centuries.

Bushido distinguished the Samurai from other warriors and helped to shape their identity within Japanese culture. It encouraged the pursuit of honor and the willingness to face death—a concept reflected in the practice of seppuku, which was an honorable way for a Samurai to die rather than face defeat or dishonor.

The other options refer to different aspects of the Samurai's life or culture. Seppuku is a specific ritual suicide rather than a guiding principle, Kendo refers to a modern martial art derived from Samurai swordsmanship, and Ronin describes a Samurai without a master, which signifies a state that is often at odds with the principles of loyalty upheld by Bushido.