Download or read book African Samurai written by Thomas Lockley and published by Harlequin. This book was released on 2019-04-30 with total page 518 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This biography of the first foreign-born samurai and his journey from Africa to Japan is “a readable, compassionate account of an extraordinary life” (The Washington Post). When Yasuke arrived in Japan in the late 1500s, he had already traveled much of the known world. Kidnapped as a child, he had ended up a servant and bodyguard to the head of the Jesuits in Asia, with whom he traversed India and China learning multiple languages as he went. His arrival in Kyoto, however, literally caused a riot. Most Japanese people had never seen an African man before, and many of them saw him as the embodiment of the black-skinned Buddha. Among those who were drawn to his presence was Lord Nobunaga, head of the most powerful clan in Japan, who made Yasuke a samurai in his court. Soon, he was learning the traditions of Japan’s martial arts and ascending the upper echelons of Japanese society. In the four hundred years since, Yasuke has been known in Japan largely as a legendary, perhaps mythical figure. Now African Samurai presents the never-before-told biography of this unique figure of the sixteenth century, one whose travels between countries and cultures offers a new perspective on race in world history and a vivid portrait of life in medieval Japan. “Fast-paced, action-packed writing. . . . A new and important biography and an incredibly moving study of medieval Japan and solid perspective on its unification. Highly recommended.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Eminently readable. . . . a worthwhile and entertaining work.” —Publishers Weekly “A unique story of a unique man, and yet someone with whom we can all identify.” —Jack Weatherford, New York Times–bestselling author of Genghis Khan

Download or read book Hagakure The Book of the Samurai written by Yamamoto Tsunetomo and published by Xist Publishing. This book was released on 2015-06-08 with total page 105 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Collection of Thoughts, Sayings and Meditations on the Way of the Samurai "It is said that what is called "the spirit of an age" is something to which one cannot return. That this spirit gradually dissipates is due to the world's coming to an end. For this reason, although one would like to change today's world back to the spirit of one hundred years or more ago, it cannot be done. Thus it is important to make the best out of every generation." — Tsunetomo Yamamoto, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai A formerly secret text known only to the Samurai, Hagakure is a classic text on Bushido--the Way of the Warrior. More than just a handbook for battle, Hagakure is a text that filled with teachings that still apply in business, political and social situations today. This Xist Classics edition has been professionally formatted for e-readers with a linked table of contents. This eBook also contains a bonus book club leadership guide and discussion questions. We hope you’ll share this book with your friends, neighbors and colleagues and can’t wait to hear what you have to say about it.

Download or read book The Bushido Code written by Tadashi Kamiko and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2023-05-23 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Words of wisdom from great samurai leaders: A collection of inspiring essays and aphorisms from Japan's leading warriors Samurai warrior leaders had to deal with grim conditions of life, death and survival. But such men were not simply rough uneducated fighters: they often personified the Far Eastern ideal of balancing cultural awareness and artistic expertise with high martial abilities. Their sayings, precepts and the anecdotes about them are informed by a broad spectrum of interests, many of which are still relevant today. Advice in this book includes: You should not envy the swords and clothing of others. It goes without saying that you should arrange your hair early in the morning if you are going out to your work, but this should be done even if you are thinking of staying at home. When you think too much, it is difficult to achieve your objectives. If you are too clever and look too far ahead, you will accomplish nothing. If you have some pressing or urgent affair, write it down with a calm state of mind. Your regular meals should be light, and you should not take a trivial liking for elegant cuisine. If someone promotes only those things the lord finds acceptable, and never remonstrates with him at all, you should watch that man carefully. No matter how wise a person may be, you should never depend fully on him but rather, understand that you are always on your own. Covering universal themes ranging from the courage and ambition to face daily affairs, the insights and strategies necessary to deal with allies and opponents, the value of art and literature, and even why and how to save money-- this is a book whose ancient wisdom is still highly relevant and of great value to readers today.

Download or read book Miyamoto Musashi written by Charles River Editors and published by . This book was released on 2020-01-26 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: *Includes pictures *Includes excerpts of contemporary accounts *Includes a bibliography for further reading "Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men." - Miyamoto Musashi Samurai Sasaki Kojiro was growing increasingly impatient as he waited on the beach at Funa Island in Kokura. An undefeated master swordsman, he was tense and his anger was getting the better of him. He was on the small island for a duel, a clash of steel between two swordsmen where a man's life could end in seconds. The duel was the ultimate test of the swordsman, and Sasaki, one of the best in Japan, was known as "The Demon of the Western Provinces." However, the Sasaki on the beach did not resemble the fierce warrior of his reputation as he paced back and forth, frustrated by the tardiness of his opponent: the enigmatic Miyamoto Musashi. Sasaki knew nothing about Musashi except that the mysterious swordsman was undefeated, because aside from that, little was known about Musashi's style or lineage. Although Musashi did have a reputation for keeping a rather unkempt appearance and an unpredictable personality, the mysterious swordsman also was the subject of conflicting stories about his courage and prowess. Though he was understandably confident, Sasaki did not underestimate his opponent, who finally arrived to the island on a small boat. Sasaki noticed something shocking: Musashi did not bring a sword. Instead Musashi, who appeared as if he had just rolled out of bed, brought a wooden oar carved into a makeshift sword as his dueling weapon. Sasaki was furious, and though he was beyond insulted, he drew his sword and prepared to fight to the death. The duel between the two masters thus began with one of them having no sword at all. Little may have been known about Musashi at the time, but centuries later, he is the most infamous and renowned warrior in Japanese history. As a veteran of the Battle of Sekigahara (1600), Naiwa (1615), and the Shimabara Rebellion in Hizen (1637-1638), Musashi was a seasoned battlefield soldier, went undefeated in over 60 duels, and authored an essential book on strategy, Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings). He invented a swordsmanship style called Hi-no-shita Kaizan Shimmei Miyamoto Musashi Masana-ryu, a two sword style that some historians think Musashi may have come up with after being influenced by the two-handed drumming of Japanese drummers. His style has continued to be an influence on the practice of kendo into the modern era. Adding to his legend was the fact that Musashi did not look like a typical samurai warrior. He was widely reported to have never bathed, never washed his hair, and did present himself like a man with a position in the ruling samurai class. This man, considered to be Japan's finest swordsman, looked more like a wandering vagabond than an elegant, aristocratic warrior. The typical samurai employed by daimyos were expected to be properly dressed and groomed, with clean clothes and neatly cut hair. Some samurai even applied rouge to their cheeks to appear healthy and ready to die for their lords. Musashi, on the other hand, seemed to have appeared out of thin air, claiming no famous teacher, school, or lineage. He also never entered long term service with a daimyo, married, or settled down (although he did serve a number of different prestigious clans). Instead, he wandered throughout the island of Japan as a free spirit, apparently valuing observation and intuition far above technique. Shockingly, he also rarely used a real sword - while he respected the sword, he was not beholden to it and often used whatever was available to duel an opponent. In the same vein, he taught his own students to avoid preferences or to rely on any one tool. Put simply, Musashi was a Japanese warrior like no other.

Download or read book Samurai written by Mitsuo Kure and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2014-11-25 with total page 613 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Samurai: An Illustrated History brings the violent, tumultuous, and, at the same time, elegant world of the medieval Japanese samurai to life. This book of Japanese history traces the story of a unique historical phenomenon: a period of 700 years--equivalent to the entire stretch of Western history between the reigns of the Crusader king Richard the Lionhearted and of Queen Victoria at the height of the British Empire--during which an enclosed civilization was dominated by a single warrior caste. The historical narrative of samurai history is supported by explanations of samurai armor, weapons, fortifications, tactics, and customs, and illustrated with nearly 800 fascinating color photographs, maps, and sketches, including ancient scroll paintings and surviving suits of armor preserved for centuries in Japanese shrines. From the 12th to the 19th centuries the history of Japan was effectively the history of the samurai--the class of professional fighting men. At first, they were no more than lowly soldiery employed by the court aristocracy of Kyoto, but the growing power of the provincial warrior clans soon enabled them to brush aside the executive power of the imperial court and to form their own parallel military government. Though individual dynasties came and went in cycles of vigor and decadence, the dominance of the samurai as a class proved uniquely resilient.

Download or read book The Complete Musashi The Book of Five Rings and Other Works written by Miyamoto Musashi and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2018-11-20 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) is the most famous Samurai who ever lived. His magnum opus, the Go-Rin-Sho or Book of Five Rings is a classic that is still read by tens of thousands of people each year--Japanese and foreigners alike. Alex Bennett's groundbreaking new translation of The Book of Five Rings reveals the true meaning of this text for the first time. Like Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Musashi's book offers unique insights, not just for warriors, but for anyone wanting to apply the Zen Buddhist principle of awareness to achieve success in their endeavors. This book sheds new light on Japanese history and on the philosophical meaning of Bushido--the ancient "code of the Japanese warrior." Unlike other translations that are based on incomplete and inaccurate versions of Musashi's work, Bennett's is the first to be based on a careful reconstruction of the long-lost original manuscript. Capturing the subtle nuances of the original Japanese classic, the result is a far more accurate and meaningful English version of The Book of Five Rings text. Richly annotated and with an extensive introduction to Musashi's life, this version includes a collection of his other writings--translated into English for the first time. A respected scholar, as well as a skilled martial artist, Bennett's understanding of Musashi's life and work is unparalleled. This book will be widely read by students of Japanese culture, history, military strategy, and martial arts. It sets a new standard against which all other translations will be measured.

Download or read book The Book Of Five Rings written by Miyamoto Musashi and published by Sanage Publishing House Llp. This book was released on 2023-04-07 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NA

Download or read book Samurai Wisdom Abstracted written by Sreechinth C and published by UB Tech. This book was released on with total page 95 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The word Samurai itself is a synonym for Japan, as they are the great ferocious aristocratic warriors in the history of the country. They are the best known for their dignity and elegance during peace and fierce atrocities in war. These highly honoured ardent champions were much ready to sacrifice their own life than bearing any dishonours. The Samurais practice a number of weapons including spears, bows and arrows, nevertheless the main weaponry and symbol of strength is their sword which was called as Katana. Their ethic code of conduct, Bushido was later adapted as the traditional code of conduct of entire Japan. Though after Meiji restoration, the importance of martial arts and hence the Samurai powers diminished, they are still revered as the most ferocious warriors for their contributions in uniting the country. In this book, we present you some of the greatest samurai heroes and their valuable words. Here are the impeccable words of acclaimed samurais like Miyamoto Musashi, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Oda Nobunaga and many more…

Download or read book Miyamoto Musashi written by Andrew Wright and published by . This book was released on 2020-03-20 with total page 62 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself." - Miyamoto Musashi This book details the life of Miyamoto Musashi who lived in Japan between the 16th and 17th centuries. He is considered the greatest swordsman that ever lived. In the pages that follow, you will be taken on a journey through his life. You will intimately discover the man, his philosophy of life, and his legacy. In this book, Andrew Wright passionately articulates Musashi's values and gives us a unique glimpse into the mind of a warrior and military commander. Drawn to conflict without hesitation, he was also a contemplative man who wrote a few books, including his masterpiece titled A Book of Five Rings. The author also summarizes these texts, revealing the intricacies of his thoughts. Musashi was elaborate in his planning, and a perfectionist. This will be clear to readers as they delve deeper into the gripping narrative on how he devised his strategies, and sized up his opponents. He also understood how the choice of weapon and terrain turned the odds of winning in his favor. Miyamoto Musashi died in a cave at the foot of a mountain to where he retired toward the end of his life. He was dressed in full battle gear. He is revered by many and regarded as an almost mythical figure. This book celebrates Musashi's versatility, his art of becoming one with his sword, and his relentless pursuit of perfection! Scroll up and click the Buy Now button to purchase this book!! You will find it a delightful read!!

Download or read book written by 柳生宗矩 and published by Kodansha International. This book was released on 2003 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a translation of an important classic on Zen swordfighting. Yagyu's Buddhist spirituality is reflected in his central idea of the life-giving sword' - the notion of controlling an opponent by the spiritual readiness to fight, rather than during the fight. This is a translation of an important classic on Zen swordfighting. Yagyu Munenori was so widely renowned that he was appointed official sword instructor to two Tokugawa shoguns. (The position was always coveted by Miyamoto Musashi, but he never succeeded in gaining the post). Yagyu's'

Download or read book Samurai Rising written by Pamela S. Turner and published by Charlesbridge Publishing. This book was released on 2018-03-13 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Minamoto Yoshitsune should not have been a samurai. But his story is legend in this real-life saga. This epic warrior tale reads like a novel, but this is the true story of the greatest samurai in Japanese history. When Yoshitsune was just a baby, his father went to war with a rival samurai family—and lost. His father was killed, his mother captured, and his surviving half-brother banished. Yoshitsune was sent away to live in a monastery. Skinny, small, and unskilled in the warrior arts, he nevertheless escaped and learned the ways of the samurai. When the time came for the Minamoto clan to rise up against their enemies, Yoshitsune answered the call. His daring feats and impossible bravery earned him immortality.

Download or read book The Book of Five Rings Illustrated written by Miyamoto Musashi and published by . This book was released on 2020-12-25 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The Book of Five Rings" includes: - 10 original illustrations- A study guide with review questions & answersThe Book of Five Rings is a text written by Japan's greatest samurai; the feared Miyamoto Musashi. In this legendary text, Musashi details the philosophies and techniques that made him a revered warrior. To this day, his lessons are utilized by business leaders throughout the world much in the same way Sun Tsu's Art of War also sees modern application.

Download or read book Samurai Revolution written by Romulus Hillsborough and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2014-03-25 with total page 409 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "With his easily readable and entertaining style, Hillsborough does a great job of elucidating the complex customs that ruled Edo Period life and politics. --The Japan Times"

Download or read book Legends of the Samurai written by Hiroaki Sato and published by Abrams. This book was released on 2012-03-06 with total page 562 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This authoritative history of Japan’s elite warrior class separates fact from myth as it chronicles centuries of samurai combat, culture, and legend. In Legends of the Samurai, Hiroaki Sato examines the history of these medieval Japanese warriors, as well as the many long-standing myths that surround them. In doing so, he presents an authentic and revealing picture of these men and their world. Sato’s masterful translations of original samurai tales, laws, dicta, reports, and arguments are accompanied by insightful commentary. With incisive historical research, this volume chronicles the changing ethos of the Japanese warrior from the samurai's historical origins to his rise to political power. A fascinating look at Japanese history as seen through the evolution of the samurai, Legends of the Samurai stands as the ultimate authority on its subject.

Download or read book A History of the Samurai written by Jonathan Lopez-Vera and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A History of the Samurai tells the complete story of Japan's legendary warrior class from beginning to end--an epic tale of intrigue, bloodshed and bravery that is central to an understanding of the Japanese character and of Japanese history. It describes in detail the core Samurai philosophy of Bushido--"the way of the warrior"--a complex code of conduct embracing ideals of honor and loyalty that continues to govern the Japanese way of life today. Historian Jonathan Lopez-Vera offers a compelling look at these enigmatic warriors including: The lives of famous Samurai--Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's greatest swordsman; Tomoe Gozen, the woman who became a Samurai; Tokugawa Ieyasu, the last Shogun; and many more The tragic tale of the 47 Ronin who chose honor over their own lives and were forced to commit ritual suicide after avenging their fallen master The philosophy of Bushido, "the Way of the Warrior," the code of conduct that embraced the ideals of honor and loyalty and governed the Samurai way of living The decline of the Samurai and their transformation from rough, battle-hardened warriors to highly educated philosopher-poets Illustrated with 125 archival prints and photos, the nobility and grandeur of the Samurai is brilliantly showcased in this book. Readers will enjoy immersing themselves in the Samurai's world, as historian Jonathan Lopez-Vera traces the fascinating story of the rise and fall of these enigmatic warriors throughout Japanese history.

Download or read book Famous Samurai written by William De Lange and published by Toyo Press. This book was released on 2017-03-24 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: True stories of the two greatest sword heroes of the Waring States Period (1469-1573). This was the most destructive period in Japan's history. It was a time when thousands of warriors either perished or persevered on the strength of their martial skills.

Download or read book Art of the Samurai written by 原田一敏 and published by Metropolitan Museum of Art. This book was released on 2009 with total page 358 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This extensively illustrated catalogue is published in conjunction with the first comprehensive exhibition devoted to the arts of the samurai, including the finest examples of swords - the spirit of the samurai - as well as sword mountings and fittings, armor and helmets, saddles, textiles, and paintings. The works in the catalogue, drawn from public and private collections in Japan, include 34 officially designated National Treasures and 64 Important Cultural Properties, the largest number ever to be shown together at one time. Dating from the 5th to the early 20th century, these majestic objects offer a complete picture of samurai culture and its unique blend of the martial and the refined." "Many of the greatest Japanese swordsmiths are represented in this volume, from early masters such as Yasuie (12th century) and Tomomitsu (14th century) to the Edo-period smiths Nagasone Kotetsu and Kiyomaro. The blades by these and other masters, cherished as much for their beauty as for their cutting efficiency, were equipped with elaborate hilts and scabbards prized for their exquisite craftsmanship and fine materials such as silk, rayskin, gold, lacquer, and certain alloys unique to Japan. Japanese armor is also fully surveyed, from the rarest iron armor of the Kofun period (5th century) to the inventive ceremonial helmets made toward the end of the age of the samurai." --Book Jacket.