Ronin is a term from feudal Japan that refers to a masterless samurai, or a samurai without a lord or master to serve. Ronin often found themselves in a precarious position, as they had no source of income or protection without a lord to serve. Some ronin became mercenaries or bandits, while others sought to regain their honor and find a new lord to serve. The term is often used more broadly to refer to someone who is without a job or proper place in society.
