A coinage, but a well-established one — you'll hear it in sports commentary.

What a Japanese person actually thinks
Hot-blooded sports register. Reads as sincere enthusiasm rather than as a mistake — closer to a stadium banner than to a coinage error.

Meaning

Literally: samurai + soul
Actually: 'Samurai spirit.' Not a dictionary headword, but common enough in sports writing (especially about Samurai Japan, the national baseball team) that the reading is settled and natural.

Scores

Naturalness●●●●●

A coinage, but a naturalised one. Unlike 武士魂, nobody hesitates on how to read it.

Coolness●●●●●

Two characters, good weight, clear meaning. The sports association is warm rather than embarrassing.

Watch out

lowStrongly associated with Japanese national sports teams. Expect a baseball or football conversation.

Get this instead

武士道 bushidō
the warrior's code

If you want the dictionary-solid, historical version rather than the sports-banner one.

On skin

侍魂

Orientation: vertical

Bold brush.