This is a list of foreign-born people who became samurai in Japan. During the Edo period (1603âÂÂ1868), some foreigners in Japan were granted privileges associated with samurai, including fiefs or stipends and the right to carry two swords. Even earlier, during the AzuchiâÂÂMomoyama period (1568âÂÂ1600), certain foreigners received similar benefits. Whether these individuals were members of the warrior class (bushi) is a subject of debate among some historians. While debate among some historians exist, the general historical consensus is that those individuals were most likely members of the warrior class (bushi) and thus, were samurai.