Poetic or literary term for a warrior, often evoking classical Japanese imagery. In modern contexts, 武士 (ぶし) or 侍 (さむらい) are more common.
The spirit of the warriors still dwells in this land.
He has the heart of a warrior of old.
Nara-period court official
Historical term for a government official who served the imperial court during the Nara period (710–794). Not used in modern Japanese outside historical discussions.
During the Nara period, the mononofu were officials serving the imperial court.
Standard kanji spelling for the poetic/historical reading もののふ. This kanji form is also read ぶし with a different nuance.
Kana spelling is acceptable, especially in poetic or explanatory contexts where the kanji reading might be ambiguous.
Alternate historical spelling; less common than 武士.
The reading もののふ is of native Japanese origin. The kanji 武士 are a later assignment to represent the meaning 'warrior'. The exact derivation of もののふ is uncertain, but it may be related to もの (person) and ふ (a suffix denoting a group or profession).