The dramatic arc of Saigo Takamori's life, from his humble origins as a lowly samurai, to national leadership, to his death as a rebel leader, has captivated generations of Japanese readers and now Americans as well - his life is the inspiration for a major Hollywood film.
Shows the most important samurai weapons--various types of long and short swords, and the particular component parts of them--and the forms of head and body armor designed specifically for samurai versus samurai combat.
An eye-opening account of the first encounter between England and Japan, by the acclaimed author of Nathaniel's Nutmeg. Samurai William is the fascinating story of a clash of two cultures, and of the enormous impact one Westerner had on the opening of the East.
The samurai were the best of the military, and the daimyo were the best of the samurai. This authoritative account gives an in-depth military history of the daimyo's times as well as a discussion of the warriors' code of honor. Includes many illustrations.
