Ways of the Samurai from Ronins to Ninja

by Carol Gaskin

Honor, loyalty, and self-sacrifice defined the life of the samurai, fierce warriors who controlled Japan for more than seven centuries. This book explores the history of these dedicated fighters from their roots as soldiers of the imperial court to their eventual rise to power greater than that of the emperor. Illustrated with B&W era drawings and art.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Martial Arts, Japan, Religion, Cultural, Japanese History

149 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[James Oden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book most informative and a good introduction to the period of history in Japan where the Samurai took the lead in the defense an warfare of Japan. Clearly there is more in depth books, but for one who is just beginning to understand the depth was perfect. I think it is well worth the read.

[Rodrigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libro introductorio a como vivian los samurais, contando tambien algunas hazañas de los mas famosos. Didáctico y entretenido.

[Sujan Gurung · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a month ago, I realized that I knew next to nothing about samurai. So I read the book ‘The ways of a samurai’. The book is about how shugon came and went.


One thing I liked about the book was that the book had great details in the stories. Another thing I liked is the book clearly explained how the shugon got to their statutes. Also the book had a lot of stories to tell so if I didn't understand one story I would still get more chances to understand other stories.


Some bad things about the book, The book was so long and I got tired of reading it. Also all the stories kept telling the same things how shugon got their power and how they fell, It was a annoying process that just kept continuing over and over. But the thing i hated the most was that their name was so damn similar all the shugon names so damn hard to pronounce.


despite all the bad things I said about this book I really enjoyed the book, And I have learned a lot about their history. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in japan history and anyone who just want to read a good book.

[Khonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The samurai in a nutshell (98 pages). And about 40 pages of historic events. Just enough to give you an idea about the samurai and not overwhelm you with complicated facts and events. I wonder though if it had an index of references...I read a used book and the last page or two was torn off. Huhu. (If I have to consider the typographical errors, I give it three stars. Whoever was proof reading this was probably slacking off.)

[Gonzalo Gossweiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breve introducción a los conceptos básicos de la historia y las costumbres de los samuráis.

[Carlos J. Eguren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buena introducción al tema, con algunos datos interesantes, pero escaso. La elección del apéndice sobre batallas y personajes importantes es un poco arbitraria. Y me hace levantar una ceja cuando se da por hecho alguna historia seudomítica sobre los samuráis.

[Sheyla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Samurais had to be really disciplined people. Too bad in our culture nowdays it's almost imposible to find people like them.

[Kes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brief primer on samurai - I liked how it introduces the main era of the samurai, their social position, daily life, and duties, and ends off with a quick introduction to the key / famous figures as well as historical battles. Good book if you don't know much about the samurai.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives an overview of the warrior culture of pre-WW I Japan focusing on the samurai and warlords. It's a good book for the casual reader, or anyone that might be travelling to Japan for business or pleasure. Other than the numerous Japanese names this is pretty easy reading.

[Christian Alonso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro sencillo y muy concreto sobre ciertos aspectos de la vida samurai.

Hay diversos huecos argumentativos y, sinceramente, deja mucha información fuera. Aún así, resulta una buena fuente de introducción al tema.

[Gustavo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breve, pero muy interesante.

[JestersRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good and informative book and definitely a good place to start reading about Japanese history

[Jose Prieto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una lectura muy interesante. Con una terminología y unas explicaciones muy interesantes sobre los samurais y todo lo que les rodeaba.

[James Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice cursory book about Samurai in general. A good brief historical perspective. This book's strength is in it's brevity and the author's ability to condense and explain in simple terms the essential basics. There is contained an interesting discussion of martial arts, definitions of terms...always helpful...and an interesting detailed description of sengoku-jidai battles. I think of this book as a good introductory "pamphlet" for anyone who is thinking of studying pre-industrial Japan. I have found this amazing history to be reletively scattered in many small sources such as this one...a comprehensive and detailed history of ancient to Meigi Period is sorely lacking in the English Language, so far as I can find. A whole lot happened in the last 1000 years in the rest of the world, but such details seem lacking comprehensiveness in a single English work...yet, I believe that infirmation is there for some future scholar to write. In the mean time, we may rely on good cursory sources such as this one to give us some sense of histrionics in Pre-Meigi Japan.

[Kevin Laupola · Rating 3 out of 5]

My assumptions about Samurai included bad ass looking warriors who were fierce and strong. However, this book has demonstrated that as much as these warriors were fearless, they also conducted great respect, even to enemies, and religious views in their own unique ways. Although they are the bad ass warriors I thought they were, the Ways of the Samurai from Ronins to Ninja exposed me to different aspects of the ways of the Samurai that led me to further respect who they once were. From folklore, to myth, to legend, and to real events, the Samurai were once Japan's most honorable and deadly warriors in their time. Still, their ways are being studied today. Their influence may have been halted by the influence of Western culture, like gun powder and guns, but their legacies and footsteps are still being followed to this day. Read this book to gather a more deep understanding of this fine warriors' culture and how they carried themselves. Ari Gato (Japanese for "Thank You").

[Austin Savill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to the history, ideologies, and the way that the samurai influenced and were a part of Japanese culture. There were some parts which were repeated earlier in the text and it seemed to not be reinforcing the ideas but merely filling space. Some of the information revolved around things which were overly mystified and may have not been true. As well there were quite a few typos, which may have just been my printing. All in all a good read and a good place to start learning about Samurai.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very basic history of warfare in Japan, what sets this book apart are the light historical examples of battles and great warriors. It is one thing to mention the Cloud Cluster Sword, and it's another to tell the story of Susano-o rending it from the dragon's tail. This book gives the reader plenty of myth and just enough names and dates. I liked it.

[Andre]

Summer book I've yet to read. It's on the list though!

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Dani Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, quick read. Just a superficial history, just enough to whet your appetite for more.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ways of the Samurai from Ronins to Ninja
Gaskin, Carol
This book is a historical look at the Japanese society and the Ronins concept. The ideals of the Samurai and how it changed society.

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ive seen better