Samurai History for Beginners (Paperback)
Language: English
Published by No Fluff Publishing, 2026
- Softcover
- New
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.Grand Eagle Retail
AbeBooks seller since October 12, 2005
Condition: New
£ 13.19
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Paperback. Few subjects in world history generate more fascination than the samurai.For centuries, these warriors defined Japan's political and cultural landscape. Yet their story is far more complex than the sword-wielding figures of popular imagination.This guide traces the samurai from their earliest origins in the late Heian period, when powerful regional clans first turned to skilled warriors to protect their land and assert authority. It follows their rise through the Genpei War of 1185, the establishment of Japan's first shogunate under Minamoto no Yoritomo, and the complex feudal order that placed samurai at the center of both military and administrative life for centuries.Each chapter introduces a new dimension of samurai civilization. Readers discover how the strict hierarchy of lord and retainer operated in practice, how samurai educated their children in literature and calligraphy alongside martial skills, and how the social world of the warrior class differed dramatically between urban and rural settings.The guide examines the weapons and armor that defined samurai warfare, from the evolution of the katana to the significance of the yumi bow and the cultural symbolism embedded in armor design. It explains Bushido, the samurai's ethical code, and traces how its values of loyalty, honor, and courage drew from Zen Buddhism, Shinto, and Confucianism to produce a philosophy that influenced Japanese life long after the samurai class ceased to exist.The stories of famous samurai bring the history to life. Miyamoto Musashi's undefeated dueling record and philosophical writings, Oda Nobunaga's ruthless campaign to unify a fractured Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu's founding of the dynasty that produced two and a half centuries of peace, and the celebrated women who defied expectations of their era all receive dedicated coverage.The final chapters explain how the long Edo peace transformed samurai from warriors into bureaucrats, and how the Meiji Restoration formally abolished the class while preserving its cultural legacy. Japan's castles, martial arts traditions, and aesthetic values all trace directly to samurai civilization.This guide is designed for readers new to Japanese history. No prior knowledge is required. Unsheathe the true story of Japan's legendary warriors. Beyond the sword lies a complex world of politics, philosophy, and art that shaped a nation. Discover the real samurai. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.…
Seller Inventory # 9798240932519
- Title
- Samurai History for Beginners (Paperback)
- Author
- James Wottford
- Publisher
- No Fluff Publishing
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- new
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 13
- 9798240932519
Few subjects in world history generate more fascination than the samurai.
For centuries, these warriors defined Japan's political and cultural landscape. Yet their story is far more complex than the sword-wielding figures of popular imagination.
This guide traces the samurai from their earliest origins in the late Heian period, when powerful regional clans first turned to skilled warriors to protect their land and assert authority. It follows their rise through the Genpei War of 1185, the establishment of Japan's first shogunate under Minamoto no Yoritomo, and the complex feudal order that placed samurai at the center of both military and administrative life for centuries.
Each chapter introduces a new dimension of samurai civilization. Readers discover how the strict hierarchy of lord and retainer operated in practice, how samurai educated their children in literature and calligraphy alongside martial skills, and how the social world of the warrior class differed dramatically between urban and rural settings.
The guide examines the weapons and armor that defined samurai warfare, from the evolution of the katana to the significance of the yumi bow and the cultural symbolism embedded in armor design. It explains Bushido, the samurai's ethical code, and traces how its values of loyalty, honor, and courage drew from Zen Buddhism, Shinto, and Confucianism to produce a philosophy that influenced Japanese life long after the samurai class ceased to exist.
The stories of famous samurai bring the history to life. Miyamoto Musashi's undefeated dueling record and philosophical writings, Oda Nobunaga's ruthless campaign to unify a fractured Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu's founding of the dynasty that produced two and a half centuries of peace, and the celebrated women who defied expectations of their era all receive dedicated coverage.
The final chapters explain how the long Edo peace transformed samurai from warriors into bureaucrats, and how the Meiji Restoration formally abolished the class while preserving its cultural legacy. Japan's castles, martial arts traditions, and aesthetic values all trace directly to samurai civilization.
This guide is designed for readers new to Japanese history. No prior knowledge is required.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Grand Eagle Retail
Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 12, 2005
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 6 to 14 business days | 6 to 16 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 0.00 |
Payment methods
Seller's business information
APOLLO ONLINE CORP.
605 Geddes Street
Wilmington, DE U.S.A. 19805
Terms of sale
We guarantee the condition of every book as it¿s described on the Abebooks web sites. If you¿ve changed
your mind about a book that you¿ve ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us
and we¿ll respond within 2 business days.
Books ship from California and Michigan.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, Illinois, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 2 business days. All books within the US ship free of charge. Delivery is 4-14 business days anywhere in the United States.
Books ship from California and Michigan.
If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.