From the publisher's website:

The year is 1336, and the failure of the Kenmu Restoration has plunged feudal Japan into a time of constant war and shifting loyalties. Across the country, powerful lords called daimyo have begun claiming dominion over the land and its resources. Central to their ambitious bids for power are the loyalties of their skilled warriors, the samurai. Samurai is a much-beloved tile-placement game for two to four players by renowned designer, Reiner Knizia. You and your opponents assume the roles of ambitious daimyo, vying for dominance in feudal Japan. Through the strategic placement of tiles, you establish your sway over lesser lords, the production of rice, and the region's religious leaders. Sometimes, though, even these won't be enough to establish your dominance, and to cement your position, you must send in your samurai!