Origin:

The Silver Samurai is the illegitimate son of Shingen Harada, a Japanese Crime Lord. As a result, he is also the sister to Wolverine's first love. Silver Samurai was the bodyguard of Viper and later an occasional mercenary. He became the head of Clan Yashida after his half-sister Mariko Yashida's death.

He attempted to pay off his clan's debts to the Yakuza and restore its honor. Though once one of Wolverine's greatest enemies, he had apparently impressed Wolverine so greatly that Wolverine entrusted him with the care of his adopted daughter, Amiko Kobayashi. The Samurai even once helped Wolverine destroy the monster known as "Doombringer", and later helped Logan rescue Amiko and Yukio from their kidnappers.

Harada was a long-time enemy of Wolverine (aka Logan), until his honorable actions gained him Logan's trust. The Samurai eventually turned from his criminal lifestyle and joined the Japanese superhero team Big Hero 6 as their leader.

After a run-in with the mutant Blindspot, Silver Samurai was temporarily brainwashed into leaving his life as a hero and engaging in criminal enterprise. He was then offered a leadership position by the criminal, and sometimes terrorist, organization known as The Hand. Harada refused the offer, choosing instead to begin his life anew in service to Japan.

He is currently working as chief of security for the Prime Minister of Japan. When Wolverine finally retrieved his lost memories, he came looking for Silver Samurai and staged an attack on the Prime Ministers motorcade just to get to him. Logan was seeking information on individuals from his past, and upon confronting Harada a battle ensued in which the Samurai's hand was severed. 

For unclear reasons, the Samurai was abducted, incarcerated in the Raft prison in America without trial, and official records stated he was dead. He was freed by Madame Hydra and the Hand, who transported him back to Japan. They wanted him to lead the Hand and unite the Japanese criminal underworld, hoping he could take on shadowy figures controlling both Hydra & SHIELD that Madame Hydra was relucant to name; it is quite likely she was referring to the Skrull's Secret Invasion, which was being set up (though not fully revealed) at the time. However, Harada wasn't interested in a war and even helped the Avengers defeat them. Afterward, he decided to try to earn his good name back by serving the people of Japan once again.

Recently, he lost a hand in another confrontation with Wolverine and dealt with the New Avengers, where he had an unpleasant reunion with Wolverine.

Powers

His mutant ability allows him to generate energy around his katana that allows it to cut through almost any material on earth except for adamantium. Although he is able to charge any object and use it as a weapon, he prefers his katana. He is a master swordsman and wears traditional-style Japanese armor made of a silver metal as protection. His physical abilities and skill in martial arts make him a formidable opponent. He possesses a teleportation ring, granting him even greater stealth and mobility.

Physical Characteristics:

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 250 lbs. (with armor 310 lbs.)

Eyes: Black

Hair: Black