Synopses & Reviews
Samurai Tales is about the legendary men from the samurai class who fought for the helm of power in 19th century Japan. These are stories of courage, honor, fidelity, disgrace, fate, and destiny set in the bloody time of political change and social upheaval in the final years of the Shogun.The final years of the samurai were an age of unprecedented turmoil and bloodletting in Japan. They heralded the end of nearly three centuries of rule under the Tokugawa Shogun. The rule of law was deteriorating, assassination and murder were rampant, and inner-fighting among the warrior class embroiled the nation. After the United States forced an end of over two hundred years of Japanese isolation, two contrasting philosophies were embraced by the samurai. On one side were those who would overthrow the shogun and restore the Emperor to power. Opposing the revolutionaries were the allies of the Tokugawa Bakufu, headed by the shogun.
While the shogun's men clashed violently with the revolutionaries, as samurai they shared with each other an allegiance to an unwritten code of honor which governed the ways they lived and died. Theirs was a stoic system of morals which condoned suicide, vengeance and, in some cases, cold-blooded murder.
Samurai Tales is, to quote author Romulus Hillsborough, "accurate portrayals of the heart and soul of the samurai, the social and political systems of whom have, like the Japanese sword, become relics of a distant age, but the likes of whose nobility shall never again be seen in this world." In recounting what he terms "the great epic which was the dawn of modern Japan," Hillsborough delves deeply into the psyche of the men of the samurai class. This book would serve well on the bookshelves of martial artists, those interested in samurai culture, or those interested in Japanese history.
Review
"A portrayal of Japanese warrior life that is as deliberate, spare, disciplined, and quietly poetic as a tea ceremony."and#8212;andlt;iandgt;Kirkus Reviewsandlt;/iandgt;
Synopsis
andlt;iandgt;Samurai Talesandlt;/iandgt; is about the legendary men reborn from the samurai class who fought for the helm of power in 19th century Japan. In an internecine war that was unique in its scope and character, Hillsborough gives us a rare and fascinating look at the men who were willing to sacrifice their lives for their leaders and their country. Names like Sakamoto Ryoma, Kondo Isami and Katsu Kaishu, whose achievements and adventures have been recounted here, have become samurai legends in this pivotal era in Japanese history. These are stories of courage, honor, fidelity, disgrace, fate and destiny set in the bloody time of political change and social upheaval in the final years of the Shogun.
Synopsis
Stories of courage, honor, fidelity, and destiny from the final years of the Shogun.
Synopsis
Samurai Tales is about the legendary men reborn from the samurai class who fought for the helm of power in 19th century Japan. In an internecine war that was unique in its scope and character, Hillsborough gives us a rare and fascinating look at the men who were willing to sacrifice their lives for their leaders and their country. Names like Sakamoto Ryoma, Kondo Isami and Katsu Kaishu, whose achievements and adventures have been recounted here, have become samurai legends in this pivotal era in Japanese history. These are stories of courage, honor, fidelity, disgrace, fate and destiny set in the bloody time of political change and social upheaval in the final years of the Shogun.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Romulus Hillsboroughandlt;/bandgt; lived in Japan for over fifteen years, seven of which were spent doing extensive research on the times surrounding the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. His other titles include andlt;iandgt;Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corpsandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Ryoma: Life of a Renaissance Samuraiandlt;/iandgt;.