An illustrated guide to samurai history and culture : from the age of Musashi to contemporary pop culture
Gavin Blair (Author), Alexander Bennett
"The Samurai are continuously celebrated as the greatest warriors the world has ever seen. They ruled Japan for centuries, finally uniting the nation after a prolonged period of brutal war and bloodshed. Though famed for their loyalty, honor, and chivalry, they could also be treacherous, bloodthirsty, and merciless. This book tells the story of their rise and eventual demise through carefully curated images, both historical and contemporary, with an engaging and authoritative text by Gavin Blair--a noted commentator on all things Japanese. It exposes the myths surrounding the Samurai and reveals their many secrets, while examining their enduring influence on global culture in anime, manga, books, and video games"-- Amazon
History
1 online resource (250 pages)
9781462923137, 1462923135
1292361882
The samurai mystique / foreword by Alexander Bennett
Origins of the samurai: the rise of a warrior class
Battle of the clans: the Taira and the Minamoto
Samurai versus the Mongols: the kamikaze "divine wind"
Tools of the trade: swords, bows, spears, firearms, castles and armor
The Sengoku period: an age of ceaseless war
Legendary samurai: from Musashi to Yoshitsune
Female samurai
Myth and reality
Bushi in peacetime: samurai, Zen and the arts
Influence on today's martial arts
Samurai on film
The samurai in manga, anime and video games
The legacy of the samurai in modern Japan and beyond
"Original edition: Samurai - Dall'ukiyoe alla cultura pop © Nuinui SA 2021"--Colophon