noun
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.
もののふの魂が今もこの地に宿っている。
The spirit of the warriors still dwells in this land.
彼は古き良きもののふの心
He has the heart of a warrior of old.
noun
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.
奈良時代のもののふは、朝廷に仕える官人であった。
During the Nara period, the mononofu were officials serving the imperial court.
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).