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The First Samurai: The Life and Legend of the Warrior Rebel, Taira Masakado
A portrait of Japan's first significant samurai leader and his world
Was samurai warrior Taira Masakado a quixotic megalomaniac or a hero swept up by events beyond his control? Did he really declare himself to be the ""New Emperor""? Did he suffer divine retribution for his ego and ambition? Filled with insurrections, tribal uprisings, pirate disturbances, and natural disasters, this action-packed account of Masakado's insurrection offers a captivating introduction to the samurai, their role in 10th-century society, and the world outside the capital-a must-read for those interested in early Japan, samurai warfare, or the mystique of ancient warriors.
Karl Friday (Athens, GA) is a Professor of History at the University of Georgia. A renowned expert on the samurai and early Japanese history, he has authored four books and appeared on numerous A&E, History, and Discovery Channel programs. He is active on several Web forums.
Was samurai warrior Taira Masakado a quixotic megalomaniac or a hero swept up by events beyond his control? Did he really declare himself to be the ""New Emperor""? Did he suffer divine retribution for his ego and ambition? Filled with insurrections, tribal uprisings, pirate disturbances, and natural disasters, this action-packed account of Masakado's insurrection offers a captivating introduction to the samurai, their role in 10th-century society, and the world outside the capital-a must-read for those interested in early Japan, samurai warfare, or the mystique of ancient warriors.
Karl Friday (Athens, GA) is a Professor of History at the University of Georgia. A renowned expert on the samurai and early Japanese history, he has authored four books and appeared on numerous A&E, History, and Discovery Channel programs. He is active on several Web forums.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2007
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131 people want to read
About the author
Karl F. Friday
8 books10 followers A specialist in classical and early medieval Japanese history, Karl Friday is professor emeritus in history at the University of Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 28, 2025
Det skall konstateras att denna inte var illa skriven... bara det att... nå. för mig var den inte rätt. Det tog mig nästan 9 månader att slå mig igenom den, helt enkelt eftersom jag tappade fokus efter två sidor.
May 5, 2024
The first samurai brings the life and legend of a rural elite, a warrior magnate who either by design or as victim of circumstances became a rebel against the Japanse imperial court in the 10th century. The title first samurai is not to be taken literal in a sense that he was not the first to arm and fight as the armored horse archers who would define Japan for hundreds of years, but rather he was to be prologue to centuries of figures like him. Rural warrior magnates challenging the central authority, seizing lands, taking down rivals and hoping to renegotiate from a place of power, revered if they could pull it off, vilified if they couldn't.
Having read the classic cultural study book, The World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan by Ivan Morris. This book is a solid accompaniment for that book. While that book focused on the elites in the Heinan capital and the gradual loss of power that would lead to the Gempei war between the military branches of houses Minamoto and Taira. This book focuses on the rural landscape of this Japan. A world of court appointments, exiles and absentee landlords confronted by rural local elites who pushed their luck while gaming the political system. As F. Friday underlines Masakado was both special, in that his gaming went far further then most, yet he was also mundane as what he did, how he did it and for what up until the last stage, was like what his contemporaries and social equals did.
Besides the story of Masakado himself and his three most prominent rivals, Fujiwara Hidesato, Taira Sadamori and Minamato Tsunemoto, F Friday talks about their legacy both long term genealogical and in folklore but he makes sure as a reader we understand the material and martial context. Aware how decades of myths surrounding samurai have influenced our image of them. The raid, as Friday puts it, was a prime tool of war and strategy as well as the ambush an honorable way of fighting, because a true warrior should be prepared at all times, failing to do so was not the fault of those ambushing but the one being foolishly ambushed, wars waged not by the mass armies of the Sengoku period, but by small bands of mounted retainers and press ganged infantry militia.
Not limiting himself to Masakado himself, Friday also adds some broad strokes on a contemporary conflict and rebelling of a radically different nature, Fujiwara Sumitomo and his pirate contol over the inner Japanse waters. This I do feel could have been fleshed out more with an equally in dept analysis of the coastal socities of Japan as had been delivered of the rural communities. Finally in light of what was to come later in Japan, Friday emphasizes the prolific presence of members of the Taira, Fujiwara and Minamato name. With members of the extended imperial family earning these surnames and forming lineages of families from which most prominent later samurai families would claim descent, a development that would help both connect these rural powers with the imperial family yet also fuel their desire to keep pushing for more and more autonomy, Masakado, an early example of what was to come.
I think it was a decent enough book but it is quite specialized reading. Clever though to start the book with the tomb/shrine of Masakado and the calamities attributed to his angry spirit every time something messed up his place of memorial; it did lure me in to keep reading.
Having read the classic cultural study book, The World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan by Ivan Morris. This book is a solid accompaniment for that book. While that book focused on the elites in the Heinan capital and the gradual loss of power that would lead to the Gempei war between the military branches of houses Minamoto and Taira. This book focuses on the rural landscape of this Japan. A world of court appointments, exiles and absentee landlords confronted by rural local elites who pushed their luck while gaming the political system. As F. Friday underlines Masakado was both special, in that his gaming went far further then most, yet he was also mundane as what he did, how he did it and for what up until the last stage, was like what his contemporaries and social equals did.
Besides the story of Masakado himself and his three most prominent rivals, Fujiwara Hidesato, Taira Sadamori and Minamato Tsunemoto, F Friday talks about their legacy both long term genealogical and in folklore but he makes sure as a reader we understand the material and martial context. Aware how decades of myths surrounding samurai have influenced our image of them. The raid, as Friday puts it, was a prime tool of war and strategy as well as the ambush an honorable way of fighting, because a true warrior should be prepared at all times, failing to do so was not the fault of those ambushing but the one being foolishly ambushed, wars waged not by the mass armies of the Sengoku period, but by small bands of mounted retainers and press ganged infantry militia.
Not limiting himself to Masakado himself, Friday also adds some broad strokes on a contemporary conflict and rebelling of a radically different nature, Fujiwara Sumitomo and his pirate contol over the inner Japanse waters. This I do feel could have been fleshed out more with an equally in dept analysis of the coastal socities of Japan as had been delivered of the rural communities. Finally in light of what was to come later in Japan, Friday emphasizes the prolific presence of members of the Taira, Fujiwara and Minamato name. With members of the extended imperial family earning these surnames and forming lineages of families from which most prominent later samurai families would claim descent, a development that would help both connect these rural powers with the imperial family yet also fuel their desire to keep pushing for more and more autonomy, Masakado, an early example of what was to come.
I think it was a decent enough book but it is quite specialized reading. Clever though to start the book with the tomb/shrine of Masakado and the calamities attributed to his angry spirit every time something messed up his place of memorial; it did lure me in to keep reading.
January 6, 2019
This is a story of a more-or-less accidental rebellion organised by Taira Masakado in the mid-10th century. The area and time are clearly one of the author's strong-points, but I was somehow expecting more gusto in the writing. Overall, I was not inspired by the book but if you have an existing interest in the period, it's probably worth reading it.
What I found best in this one is the coverage -- the reader is drawn into the 10th century through the majority of the changes which had taken place since the end of the 7th century. As such, this book also provides a really good grounding into most relevant topics. When we get closer to the time period, the author starts to focus in and cover the story of Taira Masakado in detail though the book begins with his fate. As such, we know what is going to happen the entire time and it is for us to connect the dots between the two points.
In some ways, the way the main protagonist (if we can call him that) perishes is an anti-climax, but fortunately for the rest of us the story continues. I found the legends associated with both Masakado as well as his opponents to be one of the most interesting parts of the book (they are split into two). I was also appreciative of the scope the author tried to project in the epilogue where he covered the fates of the three most important people and their families that partake in Masakado's rebellion (on either side).
This review was originally posted on my blog.
What I found best in this one is the coverage -- the reader is drawn into the 10th century through the majority of the changes which had taken place since the end of the 7th century. As such, this book also provides a really good grounding into most relevant topics. When we get closer to the time period, the author starts to focus in and cover the story of Taira Masakado in detail though the book begins with his fate. As such, we know what is going to happen the entire time and it is for us to connect the dots between the two points.
In some ways, the way the main protagonist (if we can call him that) perishes is an anti-climax, but fortunately for the rest of us the story continues. I found the legends associated with both Masakado as well as his opponents to be one of the most interesting parts of the book (they are split into two). I was also appreciative of the scope the author tried to project in the epilogue where he covered the fates of the three most important people and their families that partake in Masakado's rebellion (on either side).
This review was originally posted on my blog.
June 14, 2017
Having a interest in Japan and Samurai, I did struggled with this book. Lack depth and I would have liked a little more.
February 12, 2021
I was expecting more from this book but to be honest, I wasn't looking or the world around him. Maybe I find more truth in storytelling than narration.
February 23, 2024
The First Samurai: The Life and Legend of the Warrior Rebel, Taira Masakado offers a captivating glimpse into the tumultuous world of ancient Japan through the lens of its first significant samurai leader. Karl Friday's exploration delves deep into the enigmatic figure of Taira Masakado, questioning whether he was a visionary hero or a victim of his own ambitions. The narrative is rich with historical detail, portraying a society rife with insurrections, tribal conflicts, and natural disasters. As a history enthusiast fascinated by samurai culture, I found this book to be an engrossing read, shedding light on the complex role of samurai in 10th-century Japan and the dynamic forces shaping their world beyond the capital. Karl Friday's expertise shines through, making this a must-read for anyone intrigued by early Japanese history or the legendary aura of ancient warriors.
September 4, 2015
First off, I hate to disappoint anyone, but Taira Masakado was not the first samurai. Friday knows this; he states it in the first chapter of the book. There was actually no "first" samurai at all. The title is a marketing ploy, but hey, can't blame the man for trying I suppose.
If it helps, Taira Masakado is still an arguably notable figure with an interesting legacy and the book is still a good read.
Except for the title, The First Samurai is pretty much what it says on the tin: Friday covers the life and legacy of Taira Masakado and the context surrounding them.
One of the things I that's good about Friday's more recent writings is that they don't expect everyone to be scholars on the subject of Japan, much less historical Japan; I won't lie, it helps, but he does a decent job explaining things so that even someone new to the subject won't be entirely lost.
In addition, Friday's writings are very easy to read in general. Casual, while still academic.
One of my bigger disappointments with The First Samurai (other than "plz read me" title) was the inaccuracies. Now, they're all pretty minor, but when you write a book on a guy you should get these things right. The mistakes range from the wrong names of shrines to combining previously separate myths into one.
In other words, he probably just looked up the things not having to do with his specific field of study without properly researching them.
Honestly, these are inaccuracies I wouldn't have noticed if a professor in an overlapping field had not pointed them out to me.
Overall, an interesting read and not a bad book to have on a shelf. Despite minor details being wrong, The First Samurai is a good comprehensive text on Taira Masakado, who, despite not being the first samurai, was an amusing one.
If it helps, Taira Masakado is still an arguably notable figure with an interesting legacy and the book is still a good read.
Except for the title, The First Samurai is pretty much what it says on the tin: Friday covers the life and legacy of Taira Masakado and the context surrounding them.
One of the things I that's good about Friday's more recent writings is that they don't expect everyone to be scholars on the subject of Japan, much less historical Japan; I won't lie, it helps, but he does a decent job explaining things so that even someone new to the subject won't be entirely lost.
In addition, Friday's writings are very easy to read in general. Casual, while still academic.
One of my bigger disappointments with The First Samurai (other than "plz read me" title) was the inaccuracies. Now, they're all pretty minor, but when you write a book on a guy you should get these things right. The mistakes range from the wrong names of shrines to combining previously separate myths into one.
In other words, he probably just looked up the things not having to do with his specific field of study without properly researching them.
Honestly, these are inaccuracies I wouldn't have noticed if a professor in an overlapping field had not pointed them out to me.
Overall, an interesting read and not a bad book to have on a shelf. Despite minor details being wrong, The First Samurai is a good comprehensive text on Taira Masakado, who, despite not being the first samurai, was an amusing one.
April 18, 2015
The worst part of the book was its design and marketing, I skipped it the first time assuming it to the some hentai/anime crap. But it's a legit historical work on Taira Masakado, not to be confused with Taira Kiromori (which I did by pure accident). Though the First Samurai get does get into their similarities near the end.
So I had decided that the focus of my reading/studies of Japan would focus why, what, who, and what was the build up to Pearl Harbor. I have to say that this was one of the best books thus far to attempt to describe real Heian Era battles and how their ambush strategy never really went away.
I felt it was both a quick read but also the perfect size for the brief materials the Author had to work with. I kind of feel like it did a better Job of explaining Heian Era realpolitik then just about every other book I read to date. Not saying the other books didn't do a great Jon of describing court politics, but if you know the complexities of this alien era then you know the provincial rule was a beast all it's own. This book describes that beast in detail.
The great question of when to read this a always comes in to play, but I think having read the Akiko era writings of the great female authors- this provides a better over view them. However it brings you closer to tjem
So I had decided that the focus of my reading/studies of Japan would focus why, what, who, and what was the build up to Pearl Harbor. I have to say that this was one of the best books thus far to attempt to describe real Heian Era battles and how their ambush strategy never really went away.
I felt it was both a quick read but also the perfect size for the brief materials the Author had to work with. I kind of feel like it did a better Job of explaining Heian Era realpolitik then just about every other book I read to date. Not saying the other books didn't do a great Jon of describing court politics, but if you know the complexities of this alien era then you know the provincial rule was a beast all it's own. This book describes that beast in detail.
The great question of when to read this a always comes in to play, but I think having read the Akiko era writings of the great female authors- this provides a better over view them. However it brings you closer to tjem
February 8, 2016
An interesting and very readable history book focusing not only on Taira Masakado, a rebel of sorts in mid Heian period Japan, but also on the political and economic world in which Masakado and his contemporaries lived. Friday's book puts Masakado's book in historical and cultural context, exploring the warrior's possible motivations, his history with friends, contemporaries and the Imperial court, and even the legends that surround him and the men who finally slayed him, Taira Sadamori and Fujiwara Hidesato.
July 30, 2017
I enjoyed this beginning to Japanese culture very much, though it's style was perhaps too complicated or did not explain some aspects enough. God this was a while ago. I knew I would've preferred to read something after finishing this though. It seemed like the last half/third was lower quality than the rest, I do recall.
February 20, 2016
It was a groundbreaking book in Japanese history, I was truly lucky to be able to read it.
April 7, 2017
Well researched description of warlord Taira Masakado set amidst the sociopolitical context of Heian Japan by Dr. Karl Friday.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews