Possible Clues:

• Military man — one wants a drink when returning
• Uplifting spirit, for instance, shown by excellent warriors
• Samuel, that's how you see, by the sound of it, for the knight in Japan
• Some Japanese will give one a drink when retiring
• Jap. warrior caste
• Maria trained with US fighter
• Seven -, film directed by Kurosawa
• 'When it comes to a -, women stick to their husbands' (Alison Lurie, Love and Friendship)
• Japanese fighter
• Belushi "SNL" role