Samurai

by john-man

The name 'Samurai' is synonymous with the ultimate warrior. With their elaborate armour, fierce swordsmanship and code of honour, the samurai have become iconic figures whose influence can still be felt today. From Kurosawa's epic "Seven Samurai" to the figure of Darth Vader in "Star Wars", to Manga comics and video games, the figure of the fighting samurai still inspires us today. In John Man's new book we discover the truth behind the legend. From his birth in the shadow of the great volcano Sakurajima, to his glorious death by ritual suicide and disembowelment, Saigo Takamori was the ultimate Samurai leader. His fall brought about the end of hundreds of years of Samurai tradition and in many ways marks the birth of modern Japan. Saigo was a man trapped by a faithful servant to the emperor, and yet a leader of rebel troops; a mighty Samurai warrior, and also a master of Chinese poetry. His life, and ultimately his death, offers a window into the hundreds of years of culture and tradition that defined the samurai.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Japan, Martial Arts, Military History, 19th Century, Japanese Literature

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Sportyrod · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the fifth book I’ve read by Man, and I think that’s enough. His best works are the Mongolian ones, which are closer to his specialty.

This one seemed disjointed. It was part: a brief history of sumurai warriors, a moderate history of the last samurai, with a hint of travelogue in the footsteps of some places of interest.

Man’s language is on the plain side, atypical of usual history books, which is both good and not so good. There wasn’t much sense of anticipation, and in hindsight, the chapter headings were probably the right amount of information for the topic being a well-known one.

Doubtful that this is a fair review. I just wanted more. Or I’m just tired of this genre? Either way, it’s done now.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and a fast read, about Saigo Takamori, "The Last Samurai," who led the Satsuma Rebellion against the Meiji government of Japan in 1877. I would have liked more depth in the treatment of this subject, but, what I liked about it, was that Man followed in the footsteps of Saigo, mainly on the southern island of Kyushu, so I enjoyed the travelogue aspect of the story.
A much better retelling of the story of Saigo is to be found as a chapter in Ivan Morris' "The Nobility of Failure: Tragic Heroes in the History of Japan."

[Daren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The preface identifies that this book is three stories, intertwined. Primarily, it is the story of Saigo Takamori - known as the Last Samurai. Although this immediately conjures the movie of the same name, staring the midget scientologist, put that from your mind. It is far from fact, and should be disregarded.

For the most part, the book is a biography. The second story referred to, is the story of Japanese history from their isolation to the Meiji Restoration and the Satsuma Rebellion, and the third story is that of Samurai, and the end of their heritage. To be fair, the second and third stories are really told in the context of Saigo's biography.

Saigo is a complex character, and this era of Japanese history is complicated. Saigo ends up on both sides of the complex argument, ultimately establishing the army that in turn ends up running him down as a rebel, and results in his death. The author manages to work through the complexities and explains each step in the politics, and the role of the daimyos, the shogun and the Emperor.

The writing is simple, the story is well organised, and the background and technicalities are introduced at the right time, and in the right level of detail - not so much as to sidetrack the story, but enough to provide an understanding to maintain the story. There are a lot of plenty of photographs, some in colour others in b&w scattered through the text.

3 stars.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Warrior is the sub-title of the book & it’s around 50% of the book which is solely dedicated to Saigo Takemori who was the “last Samurai” & who was finally defeated in 1877 with the failure of the Satsuma rebellion.

It reads like a novel rather than a history text in the opening chapters as the author injects his brand of humour within the narrative which is mostly sound in his attempt to be “down with the kids” – you’ll see what I mean should you pick this up.

The first half gives a fair bit of pre-amble which relay modern day scenarios to the way of the samurai..... chapters are brief & give some insight into what makes a samurai or components of their way of life....... We have a chapter on training a young mind, a section on the religion Shinto, an all too small chapter on the samurai sword, Seppuku..... early origins, creation & history of Japan, America’s “invasion” of Japan, Bushido code...... However every chapter jus touches on the subject matter & Its not deeply detailed giving the reader jus enough insight to see the machinations of a Samurai. It also covers western influence on its culture especially an American “forced” trade agreement which ended nearly 250yrs (1600-1850) of isolation of Japan from the outside world bar a few Dutch traders. This chapter helps to set-up the reasoning of the revolt & how Saigo became it’s leader.

About Saigo himself there are plenty of anecdotes & written accounts in the narrative & the author certainly has does his homework but I must admit I would have liked some more counter from the other side to balance out the tale & turn it more into a story as at times it reads purely like a homage to the man which for me wasn’t that appealing come the end.

Some part entertaining, other parts monotonous..... a so it’s 2.5pts rounded upto a three as at times it’s an alright account.

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography of Saigo, the true last samurai. Really unsure why Hollywood chose to replace him with a Westerner in the movie. His story was just as moving and poignant as was his redemption after death. Saigo was quite the walking contradiction, easily showing that few things in this human world are black and white.

The author has the knack for educating and providing sources while making it sound like you're sitting across from him at a pub while he tells you the story.

Really am unsure why the intro to this book's entry on Goodreads et al reads: "The definitive history of the Samurai" it's really just the biography of Saigo. Nonetheless, a really well done and excellently written biography. It does lose one star for me in its false advertising of being a history on the Samurai class.

[Ness Kingsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read the backcover before I bought this book; I just saw the title - 'SAMURAI!!!' went my brain - and thought that it would make an interesting and very cool read.

So imagine my bemusement when I realised that yes, this is a book about the Samurai, but it's also somewhat of a biography of one Saigo Takamori, who is, to quote John Man quoting Mark Ravina, a 'revered rebel and a loyal traitor'.

John Man's style of writing can be quite informal in places. It's like he's chatting to you as he tells the reader of his research, the guides who took him here and there, the description of everything, how this could just be legend and that could just be exaggeration etc etc.

Now, I love that way of imbibing history (I adore listening to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast, after all) but I wasn't quite prepared for it. It grew on me, however. And by the end of the book, I rather enjoyed it.

So - to sum up - I now know more of the Samurai, I am still somewhat bemused by Saigo, and I should have read the back cover. And y'know, the subtitle.

Yes. That was rather a large clue.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have indicated, the title of this book is a little deceptive. Though the author does give some general background on samurai and their culture, the book is mostly about Saigo and his role in a period of rapid change in Japan in the late 1800's. The author does a good job of explaining the complex politics and interplay of the daimyos, samurai, shogun, foreigners, and emperor. I've been interested in the medieval period of the daimyos and shoguns, and this book showed me the denouement of that time period. The author also does a good job characterizing Saigo's personal traits of loyalty and honor and how that led him to his final resistance to the new centralized government. The last chapters of the book are the best, as they describe Saigo's final military actions.

Still, if you're looking for a history and detailed description of the samurai, this isn't the book for you. Also, the style of the book is a little jumpy, moving confusedly from descriptions of episodes in Saigo's life, to general details about samurai culture, to modern-day scenes as the author travels Japan.

[Yasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, informative, reasonably detailed, although in truth this book really should have been retitled Saigo the Last Samurai Warrior. Otherwise by the title Samurai the Last Warrior A History the reader is actually under the impression that this book is about a history of the samurai. Other samurais are in the background of this book and the history period is not as long therefore as one thinks. Apart from a very misleading title and a very misleading caption in the photograph section page 178 of the top photo, that's not Toshiro Mifune and in the film Seven Samurai he's not the leader of the ronin, Takashi Shimura is the leader, his character wasn't even a samurai! His character was a farmer, not just a villager, and he was after rewards not for a cause. Unfortunately the beginning line on page one is also somewhat off putting. It is true that George Lukas found some pieces here and there to meld into his movie franchise but there certainly wasn't/isn't anything to get carried away by. I have read John Man before and he usually is quite good.

[Cody · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm usually a fan of History, but this book was rough. I expected a relatively short recap of Samurai, culminating in some details about their final years of relevance. Instead the author is crushing on the man considered the last relevant samurai.

Pros: History. Not much otherwise, it was difficult for me to finish this.

Cons: Extreme focus on one samurai and obviously preferential treatment of him. Glosses over what looks like some of the most interesting parts of the conflicts. One chapter focuses on what seems like highly speculative detail about the subjects sex life. That part felt very out of place in this context.

[John Polson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tragic. The cover design sucked me in... A rather snotty English public schoolboy - failing to understand his subject.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learnt a lot from this book. Even after a decade in Japan there were a great deal of new discoveries. John Man is an excellent writer and storyteller. He tells history and adds some picturesque descriptions of Japan which blend the real with the folklore. I was so happy to read about the real Saigo Sama after that Tom Cruise nonsense.
I shall be reading more from this author. A new favourite. Clear, concise and punchy to read.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saigo Takamori (1828-1877) was the real-life last samurai & this book follows his life's story; from lowly beginnings to rebel to one of Japan's greatest heroes! The author gives a scholarly account of what is a difficult subject, as there is so much of Saigo's life that is seen as being semi-divine!

[Ru · Rating 3 out of 5]

While "Samurai - The Last Warrior: A History" covers an incredible amount of ground, it is almost exclusively, and quite literally, about *one* samurai - Saigo Takamori - and is more of a historical record of feudal Japan than a detailed study of the samurai class itself. The result is a disappointment almost from the start, but redemption is found in just how much of a historical saga is found in the legend of Saigo.

There are two main issues I found with this book. First, the samurai presented feel extraordinarily bland. Of course, there is a tendency to believe fictional depictions are accurate ones, but even leaving those assumptions at the door, I am having a hard time recollecting anything noteworthy the samurai did that made me say "Wow!" In fact, because Saigo's career is so full of peaks and valleys, the defeats of his samurai followers in the late 1800's stand out far more than their accomplishments. That is not good.

Second, this book is not called "Saigo Takamori: A History" and I feel is misrepresenting what it is about. To that end, I know it was far from what I was expecting, which was more of a timeline of who the samurai were, what made them who they were, and what their influences were on Japan and the world over, over time. It is not that Saigo's story is not exciting, and certainly paints him to be a trailblazer, but the samurai do not feel distinct in their portrayal at all. Aside from a few peppered remarks about Darth Vader's costume and the inaccuracy of Tom Cruise's "The Last Samurai" film, there is a decided lack of of a legacy represented in this book.

As a result of some of the disappointing aspects of this book, "Samurai" is hard to recommend, which in itself is a shame, because it is quite well-written from the perspective of a historical account about Saigo and Japan. Caveat emptor certainly applies.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual John Man does a splendid job with his subject. The only problem I have is with one of the photographs used. The caption says the photo is of Toshiro Mifune, which it is not and that in the movie the Seven Samurai his character leads the samurai against bandits attacking a village. Now if John Man had actually seen the movie he would see this was not the case. Toshiro's character is also not a ronin but a child of farmers. I don't wish to give the whole story line away but if the book is ever republished I hope the errors will be adjusted.

[Cordelia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very poorly written. I was hoping for a book full of detail and history - instead I got a load of gimmicky references and hardly any proper detail. Do not buy if you want a serious read about the samurai.

[Rusty · Rating 1 out of 5]

An extremely condescending look at Saigo Takamori, his rebellion, and Japanese culture. The author does a good job of outlining the general history of the time and listing Saigo's movements. But the analysis is superficial, silly, and Western biased.

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because Saigo, the last Samurai, was so impressive, though amazingly strange. But the writer's commentary at times became too grating. I'll end up reading Japanese writers on this topic because Samurais are fascinating and I could do without annoying western commentary.

[Ayrton Yarrell]

I loved it. In all honesty it took me far too long to read but that’s my bad OG. Saigo is a tough bastard who stayed true to himself through and through. Pretty inspiring. Don’t want to die like he did though

[Ruby · Rating 1 out of 5]

"This is Saigo's story. It is also the story of the formation of modern Japan. To understand him and his crucial role you have to start with the region from which he sprang."

"Saigo was a man trapped into a useless death by paradox: the troops below were the emperor's, he loved the emperor, yet he had rebelled against him. How could he, a poet, a charismatic leader, a former minister, have gotten himself into such a fix? How could a man so rooted in the past be so admired today?"

"As a child, then, Saigo lived with contradiction: samurai status offset by poverty. His young life was one of hard work for the sake of the family. The struggle might have left him embittered; in fact, he was proud of both his roots, which made him stoical in adversity, and his poverty, which hardened his determination to help those in need. His strength came from his sense of identity-as a samurai, as a citizen of a proudly independent province, and as the product of an ancient culture."

"Japan preserved its independence from colonization; it maintained a remarkable social cohesiveness, undisturbed by class warfare; and despite its conservatism and the supposed inferiority of merchants, the economy grew strong, with signs of things to come: the house of Mitsui (yes, the forefather of today's corporations) gave away umbrellas as "free gifts" to people caught in the rain. In the early nineteenth century Japan was both a living fossil and also well prepared for change."

"This is what human being often do to preserve a threatened sense of identity. From tedious tasks and fears of uselessness they spin noble causes, and link themselves to ideals greater than life itself."

"Why such a place should produce inhabitants of such zest and charm I have no idea. But it does, and Saigo thrived there."

"One of the three hundred or so foreigners in Nagasaki, he played a special role in preparing Japan for modernity by smuggling a few young and ambitious Japanese to England,, where they became eager students of military, industrial and scientific matters, several returning to help modernize their country."

"The guide spoke so fast and so loudly and so unstoppably that Michiko didn't have a chance to translate everything, so I never understood how the 2,023 dead were properly remembered with only 755 memorials, but it doesn't matter. You come not to count but to feel."

[Mark Reece · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, the author gives a brief history of the samurai, before moving on to a potted biography/history of the times of Saigō Takamori, a samurai who played an important part in the Meiji Restoration, which led to the rapid modernization of Japan in the nineteenth century.

The book doesn't really seem like a serious history. In several chapters, the author describes visiting many of the important scenes in Saigo's life and talking to a local, who gives an apocryphal story or quote. On the face of it, that seems about the extent of the original research. Neither is there any particularly sophisticated analysis of events, which tend to be described as 'he said, she said'.

On the other hand, the book is eminently readable, written in a largely engaging way. As an introduction to Japanese history following the forced contact with foreigners in the nineteenth century, it's okay.

[Chole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly well researched and in-depth look at the life of Saigo Takamori, the last true samurai, as well as the forces that shaped him and helped fuel his god-like reputation in Japan.
It can be hard for someone with a western perspective to understand Japanese history sometimes. Especially why someone like Saigo was and is considered a hero. But I think Man does a decent job of this, and his summary at the end I feel is on point. Like with his Ninja book (which I recommend to literally anyone with even a passing interest in Japanese history) his background research and explanations help to give you a holistic view of things which give you better context.
Some historians would regain from giving their two cents here and there. Man doesn't, and I kind of enjoy this about his writing. It makes it a lot more personable to read.

[Cerebralcortext · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting a little more meat to the sections on the historical background and development of the Samurai. Case-in-point was the ridiculously short section on the Bushido Code, which one would think would merit more than just a few paltry paragraphs.

This book is essentially a mini-biography of Saigo Takamori. However, Man’s prose and command of the narrative was highly engaging, a true page-turner. If you were looking to learn more about Saigo and nascent Meiji Japan, this book is for you. However, I have to give it a lower rating mainly due to the misleading title. Man accomplishes, though, what he set out to do.

[Arias · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seem to have made the mistake of many other people by thinking this was a history of Samurai. Cause of this I wasn't really invested in Saigo or his legacy, but I continued reading out of curiosity. It's not a page turner by any means and I read more motivated to finish than anything else. That being said, Saigo is a fascinating character, and the author's admiration for him as a subject shines through. Samurai is well written, so if you like Saigo or Japanese history, you'll probably like this.

[Rrlgrrl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I expected, but a good analysis of a famous samurai in Japanese history, one that I didn't know about. This book is a good mix of history, culture, and politics at the time of the Meiji Restoration and ending of the Shogunate. In my copy, I didn't really like the insert pictures - some were of photographs of detailed murals, and hard to discern.

[Jean-Baptiste Jacquet · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best historical books I have read.

Man is a great narrator who takes the reader through the full history of the samurai. He manages to keep the reader interested by using the famous samurai, Saigo Takamori (the last samurai leader), as a narrative medium.

For anyone who wants to know more about Japan and it's samurai history, you will not be disappointed or bored.

[Janiarto Pawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seperti banyak cerita Samurai lainnya, buku ini menceritakan tentang kesungguhan seorang Samurai. Bagi saya, yang menjadikan buku ini menarik adalah catatan sejarah yang ikut diceritakan di dalamnya. Menambah sedikit pengetahuan tentang bagaimana masa-masa peralihan antara Samurai dan Militer Jepang.

[Andy Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography of Daigo, leader of the “last samurai” rebellion. But also a cultural and social and military history of the shogun-era samurai, while also being travel writing and with digressions on various aspects of the subject. Man is an engaging writer who loves his subject but is not too reverential or obsessive about Japanese culture.

[Ralphz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one's on me. I thought it was about the last samurai, plural. But it was about the last samurai, singular. A man named Saigo Takamori, considered a hero and the last of his breed.

Which is great, but I wanted more about the history of these warriors, but the book begins as their era is ending.

I had read this author's book on Ninjas, which was pretty good, but it had more of what I was expecting, instead of the story of one man and his last battle, largely.

It's good for what it is, but it's about military campaigns and strategies and such, and that isn't my thing.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I was disappointed in the mention of hoodies being considered people not to look at, not all people who wear hoodies are like that. Nor did I think it necessary to mention honour killings, especially in regard to Islamic communitities.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book! I recently wrote a blog post with a more indepth critic but overall this book really opened my eyes to the history in Japan and I learned so much about the Last Samurai. I learned how Japan was historically and how much it has changed today.