Samurái

The image of a samurai wielding the katana, his life governed by a strict code of ethics and his prowess in deadly martial arts are the basic ideas that make up the popular view of these warriors. Just as they captivate the modern imaginary, the samurai exercised great influence over the politics, art, philosophy, and religion of their own time, ultimately dominating Japan from the 14th century until its fall in the mid-19th . On and off the battlefield, whether charging the enemy on horseback or winning the favor of the imperial court, his is a tale of adventure and intrigue, heroics or misdeeds, improbable victories or terrible defeats. This book follows the trail of samurai through the centuries and explores their role in crucial moments in the history of Japan such as the invasion of Korea at the end of the 16th century or the Satsuma rebellion in 1877. By coming to life in episodes real like these, we understand who were those samurai who shaped the history of the country.