Stevens Memorial Library (North Andover)

A history of the samurai, legendary warriors of Japan, Jonathan López-Vera ; translated by Russell Calvert

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 272-278)

mapsplatesportraitsillustrations

no index present

non fiction

A history of the samurai

bibliography

1156626219

Jonathan López-Vera ; translated by Russell Calvert

legendary warriors of Japan

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 honour 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 honour 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 honour 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

1. The emergence of the Samurai -- The first warriors -- The first Samurai -- The Samurai control the court -- 2. The Genpei Wars -- Young Samurai in exile -- First phase: conflict breaks out -- Second phase: Internal struggle for the Minamoto Leadership -- Third phase: Yoshitsune wins the war -- 3. The first Samurai government -- Typing up loose ends -- Yoritomo's Bakufu -- The death of Yorimoto -- The waning and fall of the Kamakura Shōgunate -- 4. The Mongol invasion attempts -- The Great Continental Threat -- First assault, 1274 -- Second assault, 1281 -- 5. A century of Civil War -- From the fall of Kamakura to the outbreak of war -- The Ōnin War: no winner and many losers -- Beginnings of the Sengoku Period: the age of great names -- 6. Contact with Europe -- Portuguese in Japan -- The arrival and spread of Harquebuses -- Weapons for souls : the Catholic Mission in Japan -- 7. The unification of Japan -- Late Sengoku period: fever more powerful rivals -- Oda Nobunaga planted the rice -- ...Toyotomi Hideyoshi cooked it -- ...and Tokugawa Ieyasu ate it -- The invasion of Korea -- Possible motives and preparations -- First invasion and truce -- Second invasion and outcome -- 9. The Tokugawa Shōgunate -- Ieyasu, laying down the foundations of the dynasty -- Hidetada and Iemitsu: stabilizing the system -- The Samurai and the organization of the new country -- 10. The Keichō Diplomatic Mission -- The project -- From Japan to Rome: great expectations -- From Rome to Japan: Empty-handed -- 11. The end of the Samurai -- Domestic dynamite: the waning of the Bakuhan -- External detonator : the new western threat -- Explosion : the wrecking of the Bakufu -- Meiji : the construction of a new Japan -- Epilogue : the Samurai myth