Castles of the Samurai: Power and Beauty - Hardcover

Jennifer Mitchelhill

3.94

16 ratings by Goodreads

9781568365121: Castles of the Samurai: Power and Beauty

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1568365128 ISBN 13: 9781568365121

Publisher: Kodansha, 2013

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The castles of Japan are a product of the country's long history of civil war and samurai rule from the Middle Ages to mid-19th century. They functioned both as military fortresses as well as symbols of authority. They incorporated powerful mechanisms for warding off attackers, yet as symbols they were possessed of immense beauty and grace. This study is divided into four parts: the first examines who built these castles and why, with an incisive look at Japanese history and the internecine fighting between samurai clans; the second part discusses the castle as a fortress - the importance of its location, its layout, stone walls and moats, towers, gates, shooting holes, and stone drops; the third part covers the beauty of the castle as a symbol, covering the intricate craftsmanship seen in structural detail and the aesthetics of the samurai class itself; and the fourth part contains practical information on visiting castles and gleaning the most from a first-hand view.

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About the Author:

David Green is a graduate in applied science with master's degrees in business administration and military history. The author of numerous articles on World War II and a keen photographer, his interest in Japanese castles began while he was teaching at a Japanese senior high school. He is married to Jennifer Mitchelhill and lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Jennifer Mitchelhill is a marketing graduate who started her own business in design before commencing further studies in architectural history. While teaching English at a Japanese senior high school she undertook a research project on the rebuilding of Kanazawa castle. This book grew out of her research. She lives in Melbourne with her husband, David Green, and their son, Harvey.

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