Samurai ended up the hereditary armed service nobility and officer caste of Japan from the late 12th century until finally their abolition in 1876. They were being the nicely-paid retainers of the daimyo (the terrific feudal landholders). Shogun was the title of the armed service dictators of Japan through the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Shoguns had been the de facto rulers of the place.