Page "Rōnin" Paragraph 4

According to the Bushido Shoshinshu ( the Code of the Samurai ), a samurai was supposed to commit oibara seppuku ( also " hara kiri " – ritual suicide ) upon the loss of his master.

One who chose not to honor the code was " on his own " and was meant to suffer great shame.

The undesirability of rōnin status was mainly a discrimination imposed by other samurai and by the daimyo ( the feudal lords ).