loyal retainer; righteous samurai
Refers to a samurai known for loyalty and righteousness, especially in historical contexts such as the Forty-seven Rōnin (赤穂義士).
The story of the Akō loyal retainers is still loved by many people today.
彼は主君のために命をかけた義士として語り継がれている。
He is remembered as a loyal retainer who risked his life for his lord.
技師 (an engineer) and 義士 (a loyal retainer or righteous samurai) are pronounced identically but refer to completely different kinds of people.
Compound of 義 (righteousness, loyalty) and 士 (samurai, gentleman). The term gained prominence through historical accounts of loyal retainers, particularly the Forty-seven Rōnin.