Japanese Samurai

Miniature Japanese Samurai Sword Letter Opener With Stand Review
Japan, that tiny island in the pacific is the place of many stories and legends. One only has to think of that country and it brings to mind cherry blossoms, boat parades, pagoda, geisha girls and the mighty Samurai warriors of old.
The struggle over land in the 12th century in Japan gave rise to the skilled and mighty Samurai. These great warriors ruled Japan for 800 years. Their weapon of choice was their swords which they wielded with great skill and daring. Now you can relive a part of Japan’s history and pay tribute to these fearless and honorable men right in your own office by owning a Miniature Japanese Samurai Sword Letter Opener with stand.
This uniquely beautiful letter opener stands 6.5 inches high and has a 3.75 inch blade which slices through an envelope like the true Samurai sword sliced through the armor of their enemies. The upright stand that holds this letter opener is designed to sit upright in true Shogun style bringing a little of Japanese history into your home or office.
Great Conversation Piece
This miniature Japanese Samurai Sword Letter Opener with Stand is eye catching and visitors to your office won’t help but notice this exquisitely designed opener with its silver and red handle and intricate carvings. It is a great conversation piece and can serve to relax a client before getting down to business.
For the sword collector who can’t take a real sword into his office this opener is the next best thing, putting this work of art and weaponry right onto his desk for all the world to see. Customers who have owned this opener rave not only about how handy it is but also how wonderful it looks on their desk and how much attention it gets.
Can Enhance Your décor
For those of you who have an oriental theme in your office this letter opener can bring your entire décor together making your office sparkle with touches of a long forgotten place and time. Even if you don’t have an oriental theme this opener can add a touch of history and whimsy to your office making it uniquely your own.
Great For Gift Giving
Priced at under ten dollars, this miniature Japanese Samurai Sword Letter Opener with stand will make the perfect gift for anyone on your shopping list who needs a letter opener and enjoys the unusual, historic or just attractive gift. It will make a wonderful gift for someone’s birthday, father’s day and Christmas. It also makes a wonderful graduation gift for those going off to college or retirement or promotion gift.
While not everyone would be thrilled to have a real genuine sword hanging around their house there probably isn’t anyone who wouldn’t enjoy this beautiful and unique letter opener. Designed to look like the real thing but far less dangerous this wonderful desk accessory is truly worth the price. It is sturdy and can open those envelops at the flick of wrist. Who could ask for anything more?
About the Author
Let Brian Garvin & Jeff West teach you more about the Samurai Sword Letter Opener and the Miniature Japanese Samurai Sword Letter Opener With Stand on our Colinzi website today.
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Japanese Inspired Blue LED Watch with Black Wrist $11.95 his is a Iron Samurai Japanese inspired faceless LED wrist watch that looks like a bracelet. Faceless design, cool and fashion, fits both men and women. Features 1. Japanese-inspired LED digital watch 2. Top and bottom row LED lights for time and date display 3. Faceless, exclusive fold over lock design… |
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Memoirs of a Geisha [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] $8.29 Director Rob Marshall hired three of Asia’s most fabulous stars (Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, and Gong Li) for this Japan-set movie, so one wonders why he didn’t put in a call to a local composer as well. Was Tan Dun’s line busy? Was Joe Hisaishi otherwise engaged? In any case, John Williams won the assignment, and he didn’t end up with egg on his face. Mercifully, Williams left the bombast at home … |
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Seven Samurai (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] $31.49 Unanimously hailed as one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of the motion picture, Seven Samurai has inspired countless films modeled after its basic premise. But Akira Kurosawa’s classic 1954 action drama has never been surpassed in terms of sheer power of emotion, kinetic energy, and dynamic character development. The story is set in the 1600s, when the residents of a small Japanese vi… |
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Three Outlaw Samurai (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] $19.99 This first film by the legendary Hideo Gosha (Sword of the Beast) is among the most canonized chambara (sword-fighting) films. An origin-story offshoot of a Japanese television series phenomenon of the same name, Three Outlaw Samurai is a classic in its own right. In it, a wandering, seen-it-all ronin (Tetsuro Tamba) becomes entangled in the dangerous business of two other samurai (Isamu Nagato an… |
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2pcs Japanese Masahiro Blade Sharpen Whetstones #24C $29.99 Rough whetstone:Dark color side(Rough Grain Whetstone#400): For removing large chips or dents,heavy rust and imperfections,creating a razor sharp edge;Bright color side( Medium Grain Whetstone#1000): For most typical, everyday little damage, making the blade more sharp and good shape;Fine whetstone: White Fine Grain Whetstone #3000: Both sides for fine tuning and a super-sharp and shining finishRo… |
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The Samurai $17.48 ""Endo to my mind is one of the finest living novelists." –Graham Greene" ""In 1613, four low-ranking Japanese Samurai, accompanied by a Spanish priest, set sail for Mexico on an unprecedented mission: to bargain for a Catholic crusade through Japan in exchange for trading rights with the West. Among the first Japanese ever to set foot in Europe, they travel to Rome and gain an audience with the Pope. All are baptized, hoping to curry favor with their European hosts. But upon returning to Japan, they discover that the Shoguns no longer wish to forge links with the West, nor will they tolerate the Christian religion. The seven-year mission has been in vain. Disgraced and tormented, the Samurai begin to identify deeply with the crucified Christ they formerly reviled. Based on historical fact, this is a powerful examination of the impact of external events on our deepest beliefs. |
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Japanese Samurai Adult Wig $22.99 Look like a Samurai warrior from the eleventh to nineteenth centuries with this traditional style wig. This Japanese Samurai Adult Wig features black hair tied into a topknot on the top of the head. A great addition to your Japanese warrior costume, this Japanese Samurai Men’s Wig is essential for adding authentic detailing to your international adult costume. One Size Fits Most Adults. |
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Samurai! $22.98 THE GRIPPING SAGA OF THE RISE AND FALL OF THE JAPANESE NAVAL AIR FORCE IN WORLD WAR II THROUGH THE CAREER OF ONE OF ITS BEST FIGHTER ACES Written by Martin Caidin from Saburo Sakai’s own memoirs and journalist Fred Saito’s extensive interviews with the World War II fighter pilot, "Samurai " vividly documents the chivalry and valor of the combat aviator who time after time fought American fighter pilots and, with 64 kills, would survive the war as Japan’s greatest living ace. Here are the harrowing experiences of one of Japan’s greatest aces: from fighter pilot school — where the harsh training expelled over half of his class — to the thrilling early Japanese victories; from his incredible six hundred mile fight for life from Guadalcanal to his base in Rabaul, to the poignant story of the now-handicapped veteran’s return to the air during the final desperate months of World War II. |
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Samurai $8.99 Read a graphic book about samurais, the defenders of Japanese royalty. |
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The Japanese Samurai Code $12.95 Japan has achieved a number of triumphs due to the cultural traits inherited from their samurai ancestors. Examples include the country's transformation from a warrior-dominated agrarian society to a modern industrial nation, and its rebound from the destruction of World War II to its status as the second largest economy in the world. Japanologist Boye Lafayette De Mente identifies the character traits in the samurai code of ethics that made these incredible transformations possible. He explains how these traits can be applied by anyone to enhance their own personal skills and performance, making The Japanese Samurai Code a success manual for everyone. |
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The Japanese Samurai $27.79 No Synopsis Available |
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The Japanese Sword: The Soul of the Samurai $47.98 Drawing on the Victoria and Albert Museum’s magnificent collection, one of the finest in the West, this illustrated survey examines the development of the Japanese sword in an historical and social context from the eighth to the twentieth century. The development of the sword from its origins as one of the world’s most effective cutting weapons is seen in the context of the emergence and development of Japan’s ruling military class, the samurai, to whom it was indispensable both as a weapon and symbol of power. The book also deals concisely with the techniques used in the making of the Japanese sword and the associated terminology. In addition to weapons from the V&A’s own collections and unusual prints showing graphic depictions of swords in action, illustrations include comparative material from other museums such as Japan’s Tokyo National Museum which has one of the best and most well documented collections of Japanese swords in the world. |
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Japanese Samurai Plus Size Costume $58.99 Learn the “way of the sword” in the modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting, Kendo. Based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, Kendo combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements. Whether you are practicing your Kendo or just need a great costume to wear this Halloween, or men’s samurai costume is perfect. This Japanese Samurai Plus Size Costume includes a full length black silk robe with fully embroidered front and back, wide leg pants and wide and narrow belts. Don’t forget to add a toy katana (sold separately) to add an authentic appearance to your samurai warrior costume. |
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Deluxe Samurai Warrior – Japanese Costumes $67.09 Adult Halloween Costumes – The oriental Deluxe Samurai Warrior includes the black jumpsuit, crested Samurai helmet and hightly detailed armor. Sword available separately. Great as a couples costime with your date dressed up as a ninja, samurai or geisha! |
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Boys Samurai Costume – Japanese Costumes $22.55 Kids Samurai Costume includes the yellow and blue haori coat, kimono-style shirt, wide legged pants, blue obi sash and the black traditional hat. Tabi socks, Samurai katana and geta sandals not included. |
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Samurai Wig – Japanese Costume Accessories $8.78 Samurai Wig – Japanese Costume Accessories Be sure to get a wig cap to control your hair under the wig. A wig cap improves the wig fit for better styling ability and enhances wig comfort. See our wig caps below. |
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Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior $3.98 "Clive Sinclaire has written an amazingly complete, riveting history of the Japanese samurai, their culture, and weapons. This book is a welcome surprise. Sinclaire is absolute master of his subject."" –Midwest Book Review The history of Japan over the last thousand years is largely the history of the elite military class, the samurai warriors. The samurai were an entire and separate class in society. Until late in the nineteenth century they had an absolute monopoly on the bearing of arms in Japan. They followed a special code known as "bushido, a philosophical foundation for a "freedom from fear," and epitomized the ideals of patriotism and devotion to military duty. This spiritual philosophy, which in the last century inspired the country in its headlong drive to modernization, was carried through also into the design, production, decoration, wearing, and use of samurai armor and weapons. The influence of the samurai was one that was created by force of arms, which, although initially influenced in the seventh and eighth centuries AD by mainland Asia, quickly developed into styles that were totally Japanese in character and are impossible to confuse with those of any other nation. Following decades of painstaking research, the author provides an intriguing, scholarly, yet highly readable history of these fascinating weapons and the men who made and fought with them. This wonderfully illustrated book displays in spectacular photographs, most of which are in color and many of which have never been published before, the most important samurai weapons of all–various types of long and short swords, polearms, bows and arrows, and firearms–as well as the dramatic forms ofhead and body armor designed specifically for samurai-versus-samurai combat. |
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Black Samurai Costume – Japanese Costumes $56.05 This deluxe Samurai costume includes the full length silk robe with fully embroidered front and back, wide leg pants and wide and narrow belts. |
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Blue Samurai Costume – Japanese Costumes $28.03 Deluxe Adult Samurai Costume – A costume reserved for the noble warrior class of Japan. But if you’re willing to follow the strick set of written Samurai rules, this Deluxe Blue Samurai Costume is for you! Includes silk robe with exquisitely embroidered front and back, flare leg pants with stretch waist and two belts (one wide, one narrow). 100% polyester. |
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Japanese Sword Fighting: Secrets of the Samurai $32.48 Hidden Essence of the Martial Arts and the Spirit of the Samurai Japanese history is replete with great sword masters. Legendary figures such as Koizumi Isenokami, Tsukahara Bokuden, Yagyu Munenori, Miyamoto Musashi, and Ito Ittosai have been revered as deities for countless years, forged into the history of Japan’s martial arts. But there were also many lesser known samurai who carried the spirit of Bushido, Tirelessly devoting themselves to Japan’s martial traditions and mastering their many fighting forms. Japan’s rich legacy of swordsmanship has been passed on through these generations of samurai, who developed many techniques using the long sword, short sword, and Ninja sword, among others. In this book, Masaaki Hatsumi, the most renonwned Budo and Ninja grandmaster in the world, explores the venerable history of Japanese sword fighting, sharing with the reader his reflections on the hidden essence of this revered martial art. He covers a variety of classical techniques including Ninja kenpo, Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, as well as two-sword techniques. Drawing on his deep knowledge, the author demonstrates advenced, practical applications of the art, using the stick, spear, naginata, and kusarigama. More mysterious, secret techniques are also discussed, including those involving armor, and the variety of renowned mutodori (no-sword) forms-the ultimate martial skill of the samurai. Works of calligraphy by famous samurai masters, such as Asari Matashichiro and Yamaoka Tesshu, accompany the descriptions, as well as important historical scrolls and an array of lavish illustrations that help demonstrate the grace and beauty of Japanese sword fighting. After his highly acclaimed works The Way of the Ninja and Advanced Stick Fighting, Masaaki Hatsumi continues to pursue his life’s ambition of fostering and spreading Budo throughout the world, with this definitive book on the art of Japanese sword fighting. Within his technical descriptions and musings on the history of Bushido, Hatsumi’s philosophy of promoting a world of peace and tolerance is ever present, as is his firm belief in the universality of Budo, espoused in his own words: ." . . if the seed of Japan’s Budo is planted anywhere in the world, it will continue to grow and flourish." |
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Deluxe Samurai Costume – Japanese Costumes $67.09 This Adult Deluxe Samurai Costume includes the deep yellow kimono or Keigogi-style shirt with blue edging, long blue sleeveless Happi coat, blue obi sash, matching yellow pants, and the Edo-style black hat. |
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Adult Deluxe Samurai Costume – Japanese Costumes $23.63 Adult Halloween Costumes – This Deluxe Samurai costume includes the headpiece, tunic, robe and belt. The Deluxe Japanese Samurai costume is available in size Adult Standard. Fits up to a chest size 42. Great couples costume with your lady dressed as a Geisha! |
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Japanese Samurai Kanji Ash Grey T-Shirt Japanese Light T-Shirt by CafePress $17 Japanese Samurai Kanji symbol for Japanese Samurai and Kanji fans. Celebrate Japanese Samurai values with red Japanese Kanji graphic for Samurai. Way of the Japanese Samurai rules. Japanese Light T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.5.6 oz. 100% cotton. Standard fit. |
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The Samurai and the Sacred $10.99 The samurai were celebrated warriors, but they were also deeply spiritual men whose religious beliefs sustained and inspired their forays into battle. In this entirely original work, Stephen Turnbull, a leading authority on Japanese history and author of more than 50 books, reveals the soul of the samurai in a thoughtful exploration of the religions and philosophies that motivated them. Drawing inspiration from all manners of belief systems – from Japan’s mainstream religions of Shinto and Buddhism, to Confucianism, Christianity, and Folk Religion – the samurai were fascinating men who often valued their honor above their lives. THE SAMURAI AND THE SACRED is strikingly illustrated with lavish Japanese prints and vibrant photographs. A provocative study, it includes chapters on martial arts, modern militarism, the cult of the sword, revenge, suicide, hara kiri and kamikaze pilots. THE SAMURAI AND THE SACRED is a compelling read that provides insight into Japanese culture, philosophy, and warfare. From the Hardcover edition. |
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Strongholds of the Samurai: Japanese Castles 250-1877 $22.48 The first proper fortifications in Japan began to develop with the appearance of the first emperors around 250. Although initially fortifications were simply wooden constructions, as internal strife became a way of life in Japan, more and increasingly elaborate fortifications were built. By the mid-16th century elaborate and beautiful traditional stone castles were wide spread. At the same time, rivalries between different monastic orders led to the development of fortified Buddhist temples and monasteries until the suppression of the warrior monks under Tokugawa Ieyasu. The 19th century saw the development of European-style forts, and the strengthening of costial defences against incursions by the West. This book not only studies the entire period of Japanese castle development from the very first fortifications, through to the sophisticated structures of the 16th and 17th century and beyond to the 19th century, but also covers the castles built to control Korea during the brief samurai invasion in the late 16th century and the development of fortified temples and monasteries in Japan. The text also explains how castles were adapted to accommodate the introduction of firearms in the 16th century, and explores life within Japanese fortifications. With photographs from the author’s private collection and full-color artwork, including detailed cutaways, this is an essential guide to the fascinating development of Japanese fortifications. |
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Afro Samurai $6.25 Rated: NRSynopsis: Afro Samurai (voiced by Academy Award® nominated Samuel L. Jackson) is an epic tale of a black samurai’s hunt for Justice (voiced by Ron Perlman: Hellboy, Alien Resurrection ) who murdered his father. With music score by The RZA ( Kill Bill , Wu Tang Clan) Afro Samurai blends traditional Japanese culture, funky technology and hip hop to create a brutally fresh entertainment experience. |
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The Japanese Samurai Code: Classic Strategies for Success $13.98 Japan has achieved a number of triumphs due to the cultural traits inherited from their samurai ancestors. Examples include the country’s transformation from a warrior-dominated agrarian society to a modern industrial nation, and its rebound from the destruction of World War II to its status as the second largest economy in the world. Japanologist Boye Lafayette De Mente identifies the character traits in the samurai code of ethics that made these incredible transformations possible. He explains how these traits can be applied by anyone to enhance their own personal skills and performance, making "The Japanese Samurai Code" a success manual for everyone. |
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Spirit Of Samurai Japanese Chant $4.99 For everything you do, there’s a song that hits the spot. MOG brings them all to you: a world of music on demand, unlimited mobile downloads and ways to discover music free from the limitations of Pandora. The music you love, with you everywhere you go. |
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Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868 $46.48 Samurai arms and equipment are widely recognized as masterpieces in steel, silk, and lacquer. This extensively illustrated volume is published in conjunction with the first comprehensive exhibition devoted to the arts of the samurai. It includes the finest examples of swords–the spirit of the samurai–as well as sword mountings and fittings, armor and helmets, saddles, banners, and paintings. The objects in the catalogue, drawn entirely from public and private collections in Japan, feature more than 100 officially designated national treasures and important cultural properties. Dating from the 5th to the 19th century, these majestic works offer a complete picture of samurai culture and its unique blend of the martial and the refined. Many of the greatest Japanese blade makers are represented in this volume, from the earliest "koto" ("old sword") masters such as Yasuie (12th century) and Tomomitsu (14th century) to the Edo-period smiths Nagasone Kotetsu and Kiyomaro. These blades, cherished as much for their beauty as for their cutting effectiveness, were equipped with elaborate hilts and scabbards prized for their exquisite craftsmanship and materials, including silk, rayskin, gold, lacquer, and alloys unique to Japan, such as "shakudo" and "shibuichi." 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. |
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Seven Samurai $18.98 In "Seven Samurai "(1954), a whole society is on the verge of irrevocable change. Akira Kurosawa’s celebrated film, regarded by many to be the major achievement of Japanese cinema, is an epic that evokes the cultural upheaval brought on by the collapse of Japanese militarism in the sixteenth century, echoing also the sweeping cultural changes occurring in the aftermath of the American Occupation. The plot is deceptively simple. A village of farmers is beleaguered by a horde of bandits. In desperation the farmers decide to hire itinerant samurai to protect their crops and people from the bandits. There had never been a Japanese film in which peasants hired samurai, or an evocation of the social transformation that made such an idea credible. There are six samurai and one who is accepted as such. Together they reflect the ideals and values of a noble class near the point of extinction. "Seven Samurai" may be the greatest action film, a technical masterpiece unmatched in its depiction of movement and violence, but running beneath the sound and fury is a lament for a lost nobility, "a dirge for the spirit of Japan," according to Joan Mellen, "which will never be so strong." Mellen contextualizes "Seven Samurai, "marking its place in Japanese cinema and in Kurosawa’s career. She explores the film’s roots in medieval history and, above all, the astonishing visual language in which Kurosawa created his elegiac epic. |
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Samurai Tales $19.95 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. |
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Plus Size Black Samurai Costume – Japanese Costumes $33 This deluxe plus size Samurai costume includes the full length silk robe with fully embroidered front and back, wide leg pants and wide and narrow belts. |
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The Samurai Mind $14.95 The Samurai Mind is a collection of five seminal Japanese texts which together convey the very essence of the traditional samurai warrior ethos. These texts range from the ferocious to the esoteric—with their common thread being the importance of mastering one's own mind as the key to overcoming opponents. Written from the mid-18th to early 19th century, the authors were acknowledged master warriors keen to address a broader audience beyond their circle of students and acolytes. Their aim was to explain their craft to the outside world, and they do so with great insight. |
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Samurai 1550-1600 $17.98 This title details the culture, weapons, armour and training of the elite samurai warrior class in the fascinating Age of Battles period (1550-1600). This was a period of vital importance not only because of the political effects of the chaos but also due to the changes in warfare that occurred. In 1542 the Portuguese introduced the matchlock musket into Japanese warfare, and this book traces the effect that this important innovation had on the samurai. Life outside the field of battle is also examined, making this an unmissable book for those interested in this brave warrior caste. |
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Code of the Samurai $14.95 Code of the Samurai is a four-hundred-year-old explication of the rules and expectations embodied in Bushido, the Japanese way of the warrior. Bushido has played a major role in shaping the behavior of modern Japanese government, corporations, society, and individuals, as well as in shaping the modern martial arts within Japan and internationally. The Japanese original of this book has been one of the primary sources on the tenets of Bushido, a way of thought that remains fascinating to modern world, East and West. |
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Samurai: An Illustrated History $25.98 "Samurai: An Illustrated History" brings the violent, tumultuous, and, at the same time, elegant world of the medieval Japanese samurai to life. With a general introduction that examines the origins of the samurai and their rise to power, Samurai presents a chronological coverage of samurai history detailing the main battles, personnel, and general themes. Additional chapters are studies of samurai armor and weaponry, fortifications, and the changes in strategy and armor upon the introduction of firearms and cannon. All chapters are illustrated by photographs of battle re-enactments meticulously conducted by the enthusiastic historical re-enactment societies of Japan, and by line drawings of fortifications and armor. Samurai vividly details the long bloody era of the samurai, when sons killed their fathers, brothers attacked their brothers, wives betrayed their husbands and hosts their guests, and the forces of the samurai rulers destroyed those of the emperors and the monasteries. The samurai fought for property, lands, and money, and only rarely for honor–Samurai tells that compelling story with vigor. |
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Samurai Films $13.99 Samurai films are an intriguing combination of frenetic action sequences, moving personal drama, and philosophical observations on loyalty and violence, all set against the spectacular backdrop of pre-industrial Japan. References to samurai films are quite common in film literature, and many mainstream directors, from Hollywood and elsewhere, have been inspired and influenced by them—Lucas by Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress, and the genre of spaghetti westerns by Kurosawa's Yojimbo. Want to see one of the major inspirations for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films? Look no further than Toshiya Fujita's Lady Snowblood. The history of this unique Japanese genre, including its influence on world cinema is covered, as well as analysis of the key films that have defined the genre. Classics such as Kurosawa's Seven Samurai and Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy are included, as well as more recent films, such as Shinobi, Aragami, and The Twilight Samurai. |
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samurai’s soul Japanese Light T-Shirt by CafePress $17 The T-shirt that samurai spirit was put Japanese Light T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.5.6 oz. 100% cotton. Standard fit. |
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The Last Samurai $9.99 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, The Last Samurai , starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. In this vibrant new biography, Mark Ravina, professor of history and Director of East Asian Studies at Emory University, explores the facts behind Hollywood storytelling and Japanese legends, and explains the passion and poignancy of Saigo’s life. Known both for his scholarly research and his appearances on The History Channel, Ravina recreates the world in which Saigo lived and died, the last days of the samurai. The Last Samurai traces Saigo’s life from his early days as a tax clerk in far southwestern Japan, through his rise to national prominence as a fierce imperial loyalist. Saigo was twice exiled for his political activities — sent to Japan’s remote southwestern islands where he fully expected to die. But exile only increased his reputation for loyalty, and in 1864 he was brought back to the capital to help his lord fight for the restoration of the emperor. In 1868, Saigo commanded his lord’s forces in the battles which toppled the shogunate and he became and leader in the emperor Meiji’s new government. But Saigo found only anguish in national leadership. He understood the need for a modern conscript army but longed for the days of the traditional warrior. Saigo hoped to die in service to the emperor. In 1873, he sought appointment as envoy to Korea, where he planned to demand that the Korean king show deference to the Japanese emperor, drawing his sword, if necessary, top defend imperial honor. Denied this chance to show his courage and loyalty, he retreated to his homeland and spent his last years as a schoolteacher, training samurai boys in frugality, honesty, and courage. In 1876, when the government stripped samurai of their swords, Saigo’s followers rose in rebellion and Saigo became their reluctant leader. His insurrection became the bloodiest war Japan had seen in centuries, killing over 12,000 men on both sides and nearly bankrupting the new imperial government. The imperial government denounced Saigo as a rebel and a traitor, but their propaganda could not overcome his fame and in 1889, twelve years after his death, the government relented, pardoned Saigo of all crimes, and posthumously restored him to imperial court rank. In THE LAST SAMURAI , Saigo is as compelling a character as Robert E. Lee was to Americans-a great and noble warrior who followed the dictates of honor and loyalty, even though it meant civil war in a country to which he’d devoted his life. Saigo’s life is a fascinating look into Japanese feudal society and a history of a country as it struggled between its long traditions and the dictates of a modern future. |
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The 47 Ronin: A Story of Samurai Loyalty and Courage $19.48 Illustrates the true Japanese tale of the masterless samurai who avenged the death of their leader. |
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Samurai Strategies $14.95 The most famous combat strategist in Japanese history was Musashi Miyamoto, a warrior who lived from 1584 to 1645. Miyamoto fought his first duel to the death when he was 13, killing a veteran warrior more than twice his age. By the time he was 29 he had killed more than 60 other warriors in duels and was a legend in his own time. Shortly before his death, Musashi recorded his philosophy, strategies and tactics in a short treatise entitled Go Rin Sho —The Book of Five Rings. An esoteric read for anyone not versed in Japanese culture and language, Go Rin Sho has now been distilled to present the fundamentals of Miyamoto's tactics and explain them in the modern context of business, politics and war. Samurai Strategies is the result. Compiled by renowned Japanologist Boye Lafayette De Mente, it is more precise and practical as a handbook for winning than The Art of War by China's most famous military strategist, Sun Tzu. This hardcover edition features a new introduction by the author and additional commentary in each chapter by well-known Japanese author and samurai expert Michihiro Matsumoto. |
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The Samurai’s Garden $9.99 The daughter of a Chinese mother and a Japanese father, Tsukiyama uses the Japanese invasion of China during the late 1930s as a somber backdrop for her unusual story about a 20-year-old Chinese painter named Stephen who is sent to his family’s summer home in a Japanese coastal village to recover from a bout with tuberculosis. Here he is cared for by Matsu, a reticent housekeeper and a master gardener. Over the course of a remarkable year, Stephen learns Matsu’s secret and gains not only physical strength, but also profound spiritual insight. Matsu is a samurai of the soul, a man devoted to doing good and finding beauty in a cruel and arbitrary world, and Stephen is a noble student, learning to appreciate Matsu’s generous and nurturing way of life and to love Matsu’s soulmate, gentle Sachi, a woman afflicted with leprosy. |
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The 47th Samurai $9.99 In The 47th Samurai, Bob Lee Swagger, the gritty hero of Stephen Hunter’s bestselling novels Point of Impact and Time to Hunt, returns in Hunter’s most intense and exotic thriller to date. Bob Lee Swagger and Philip Yano are bound together by a single moment at Iwo Jima, 1945, when their fathers, two brave fighters on opposite sides, met in the bloody and chaotic battle for the island. Only Earl Swagger survived. More than sixty years later, Yano comes to America to honor the legacy of his heroic father by recovering the sword he used in the battle. His search has led him to Crazy Horse, Idaho, where Bob Lee, ex-marine and Vietnam veteran, has settled into a restless retirement and immediately pledges himself to Yano’s quest. Bob Lee finds the sword and delivers it to Yano in Tokyo. On inspection, they discover that it is not a standard WWII blade, but a legendary shin-shinto katana, an artifact of the nation. It is priceless but worth killing for. Suddenly Bob is at the center of a series of terrible crimes he barely understands but vows to avenge. And to do so, he throws himself into the world of the samurai, Tokyo’s dark, criminal yakuza underworld, and the unwritten rules of Japanese culture. Swagger’s allies, hard-as-nails, American-born Susan Okada and the brave, cocaine-dealing tabloid journalist Nick Yamamoto, help him move through this strange, glittering, and ominous world from the shady bosses of the seamy Kabukicho district to officials in the highest echelons of the Japanese government, but in the end, he is on his own and will succeed only if he can learn that to survive samurai, you must become samurai. As the plot races and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that a ruthless conspiracy is in place, and the only thing that can be taken for granted is that money, power, and sex can drive men of all nationalities to gruesome extremes. If Swagger hopes to stop them, he must be willing not only to die but also to kill. |
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Samurai Loyalty Kanji Ash Grey T-Shirt Japanese Light T-Shirt by CafePress $17 Samurai Loyalty Kanji for Japanese Samurai and Kanji fans. Celebrate Samurai value of loyalty with black Japanese Kanji graphic. Japanese Samurai Loyalty Kanji rules. Japanese Light T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.5.6 oz. 100% cotton. Standard fit. |
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Samurai Loyalty Kanji Front Ash Grey T-Shirt Japanese Light T-Shirt by CafePress $15 Samurai Loyalty Kanji for Japanese Samurai and Kanji fans. Celebrate Samurai value of loyalty with black Japanese Kanji graphic. Japanese Samurai Loyalty Kanji rules. Japanese Light T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.5.6 oz. 100% cotton. Standard fit. |
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Blue Samurai Adult Costume $56.99 Combine strong martial art values with sport-like physical elements in our Blue Samurai Adult Costume. Experience the ‘way of the sword’ with traditional Japanese swordsmanship and fashion. Our Japanese Samurai Costume includes a full length blue silk robe with fully embroidered front and back, wide leg pants, wide belt and narrow waist sash. The embroidered accents are Japanese-inspired with a dragon design and Asian symbols. Our men’s Japanese Samurai Costume is an authentic design that will have you feeling the need to practice your Kendo sword-fighting. Sword not included. |
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Jesus And The Samurai $4.79 By 250 AD Christianity had spread throughout India and China. Known as the Shining Religion or the Luminous Teaching it drew adherents from Buddhism and Hinduism who were seeking a faith that taught the possibility of achieving a society founded on love and compassion for their fellow man. The new doctrine reached the island nation of Japan where it was so well received that Christianity threatened to supplant Buddhism as the dominant religion. By the close of the 16th century Japanese Christians numbered in the millions. Fifty years later Christianity was officially proscribed and Christians faced execution for openly practicing their faith. Jesus and the Samurai tells their fascinating story with facts drawn from ancient and modern sources. |