Samurai: The Code of the Warrior

by Thomas Louis, Tommy Ito, Corbis Boe (Illustrator)

The samurai were the most skilled elite group of combatants the world has ever seen. Their name means "one who serves." Years of training, discipline, and self-sacrifice combined with advanced weaponry and unprecedented tactical acumen created a force unmatched over centuries of Japanese history.

Samurai explores the essence, truth, and wisdom of these remarkable warriors. It features renowned samurai warriors, their weapons, armor, and military strategies and illuminates their unwavering Bushido philosophy—the strict code of honor requiring absolute loyalty to their master above all else, and ritual suicide in preference to dying a dishonorable death.

This book explores the spirit, body, and minds of these sublime paladins who long ago passed into legend, but still live on today.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, History, Reference, Philosophy, Japanese Literature

205 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2006

Reviews

[Sophie Avett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm Sophie, I write craptastic bestselling fiction and I have many, many books on Samurai. (They're a private obsession.) This is probably the most well-organized, and engaging of all of them. I wrote an entire story using just this book. The authors touched on everything from everyday life to the intricate morals/value, etc. Armor and weaponry is also mentioned and illustrated nicely. However, what I found most intriguing was how the authors took the time to describe a samurai's place in the world during their time. Very few books actually offer you that vital information, and it is most helpful when trying to world build a society from the ground up. Frankly, this really is a great introduction. Now, I do think it was written with a younger audience in mind, so the details might not be graphic, but the authors did what they could and provided unique and insightful information. Overall, the cover is gorgeous. The pictures are also very pretty. As far as price, I did find this book as one of BN's Bargain books, so it wasn't very expensive. Fantastic read. Well worth it for a beginner/advanced. If you've already got a similar book on your shelf, I don't recommend buying this one. If you're looking for a deeper look into the world, I recommend this book as a starting point, but keep in mind that the discussion isn't really deep, but broad. :)

[La Colección de las Letras · Rating 4 out of 5]

​"Samurái. El código del guerrero" es una breve guía de todo lo que rodea al samurái japones. Es decir, abarca desde sus códigos de conducta hasta sus armaduras y armas. Por lo que en este libro nos vamos a encontrar una gran variedad de curiosidades que no sabíamos sobre estos nobles guerreros, al igual que también podemos encontrar conductas o maneras de vivir la vida que ahora mismo nos podrían parecer alocadas o disparatadas.

La imagen que tenemos de los samuráis del "anime" o del "manga" es muy diferente a lo que realmente eran en su momento. Es por eso que este libro me parece una buena guía si tienes curiosidad hacia todo lo relacionado con estos guerreros y hacia todo lo que suponía mantener la lealtad al "daimyo" (señor feudal), y conservar los ideales de una religión a raja tabla.

Además de contener mucha información diversa, de la cual hablaré más adelante, también cuenta con una gran diversidad de dibujos a color que dan vida a lo que nos cuenta el libro. Al igual que tenemos un glosario con todas las palabras clave, con su significado, y una línea del tiempo que nos posiciona todos los acontecimientos importantes para su mejor entendimiento.

Como último comentar que el libro también contiene, a final de cada capítulo, las vidas explicadas, brevemente, de algunos de los samuráis más condecorados e importantes.

Bajo mi punto de vista, lo único que me falta para que este libro esté perfecto, es mucha más historia. He sentido que me quedado con un mejunje de datos que no sé cuadrar y con muchos nombres que no logro recordar. Es por eso que para mí falta un poco más de información en esa parte, por que por lo demás está perfecto; he conocido mucho más a fondo sobre los samuráis de lo que sabía antes mirando solo "anime".

Lo recomiendo porque es un libro muy completo que trata, como tema principal, los samuráis. Nos habla también sobre la historia de Japón, pero lo que más destaca son las vidas de los guerreros y sus formas de vida. Además de que está esquematizado de tal forma que es muy fácil entenderlo y seguir el ritmo.

Por otra parte, lo acompaña con fragmentos de textos, vidas de samuráis importantes, imágenes y dibujos que ayudan mucho a comprender la historia. Es por eso que lo considero un libro muy bueno para comenzar a leer sobre los samuráis sin la necesidad de saturarse de información.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about samurais is a fun, chill way to learn about some of the most iconic warriors of all time. Everyone knows what a samurai is, even if they don't actually know how to articulate it. This little book, aided by a bunch of vivid images, does a good job of helping you do just that: articulate what you know a samurai is. It covers everything from origins to the daily life of a samurai to the Bushido code to their eventual downfall. As sparse as the text is, it's actually really comprehensive, and I enjoyed this light introduction into the subject. I felt like a learned a few things without being buried by an avalanche of information. I also feel prepared to read other, more in-depth books about samurai because I have a foothold in the subject now.

The only thing I found a bit odd about the book was its structure. In between each chapter, the author selects a couple of notable samurai to highlight. Personally, I would've preferred these folks be grouped together, but that's just me. A couple other points that ended up lowering the rating for me was the constant assumption that all samurai were men. Yes, most samurai were men, but women samurais existed and were mentioned several times. Plus, I would've really appreciated a spotlight on Tomoe Gozen, who's one of the few samurai I've actually heard of and a woman to boot.

Honestly, if you're even mildly curious about samurais, this is a good place to start. It doesn't shy away from the more gory aspects of the profession like sepukku and bundori (suicide and head mounting), but it also doesn't exploit them. It just presents them as aspects of the profession. Overall, I found this book fun, engaging, and a quick read.

[Rafael Contreras · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was informative and provides a general history and the samurai. The book covers Japanese history from the Yayoi Period all the way up to the Meiji Restoration. If you are a reader interested in books with illustrations and pictures this one provides them. The book is general and does not dive deep into key figures or events, but what it does well is that it provides introductory information in one or two pages. I found the section about Samurai weaponry and clothing interesting. It allows readers to envision what the samurai wore and carried into battle.

[Michael Sypes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely produced, pretty, with a smattering of "fun facts." Sort of a mini coffee table book. Not a lot of detail on any one subject, and not well annotated, i.e., there are few references among the sections, so it's hard to keep track of anything from one page to another, but still a nice diversion to skim through at your leisure.

[Chris Lira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to the world of the Samurai. The book is presented in a faux aged, yellow page journal look(while it is actually a very nice, glossy stock) with lots and lots of beautiful color pictures from the age. Good starting point for those who want to learn about the samurai.

[Impoeia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful reference work. A great source for anyone trying to learn more about Samurais.

[Douglas Monical · Rating 3 out of 5]

simple book, more for children very light.

[Pálfi Krisztián · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book that perfectly describes the history of samurai, their traditions, and every item they used

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

After getting past boring chapter 1, it got interesting. (The history shared in the first chapter just didn't flow well and had no details I found interesting. )
I loved the chapters about weapons. It was cool to see their development and how they were used.
It was also interesting to read about why the Samurai used those hideous hair cuts lol, and how they trained. What inspired them to live the way they did, to the point of even dying for an idiotic master. Sometimes, though, their "code" just made them seem stupid not honorable, and the ninjas ways made more sense.
But, they were a part of Japanese history, so yeah.
If your interested in Japanese history and culture, it's a good little book to pick up. :)

[Tom Menke]

I read this book this week It was time to remind myself of the values and ideals i started this adventure with. At 14 I choose to be the person I became. I took my ideals and guidelines from 16th century japan. A place I have always been drawn to.
This week with the action OF PHASE TWO STARTING AND THE THRILL OF IT FOR ME i DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO remember just where I came from.

An excellent book and the vaLUES have never faulter or failed me.

Kempi

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quick read and a great resource for a general background on samurai, their history, and some information about their lives and livelihood. It also contains a large number of short biographies of famous historical samurai, similar to what you might gain in a wikipedia article on the person.

A good starting off point for more information, not the type of book to satisfy in depth research.

6/10

[Xilks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a long while ago and sort of got away from it for a while. But it is a very good reference book that I plan to continue to return to again and again, dependent on what I am working on in my own writing. The book is very informational, and there is even a handy glossary in the back. Considering I got this book on mark down years back, I think I got a real bargain. Would recommend to fellow writers or history lovers. This is a good beginners guide.

[Emily Adnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple book with some pictures to help you visualized on the Era of Samurai. You will get to know with the code of honour called Bushido, how kamikaze destroyed the mongol fleet in 1281, few terms on seppuku as well as Hagakure Treatise which did mentioned on reasons why warriors grew moustaches. Recommended for history lovers.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully produced introduction to the culture of Samurai warriors. I picked it up on the bargain table and sort of forgot about it until today. The artwork alone makes it worthwhile, but the overview of Japanese military history and anecdotes about the lives of the most famous Samurai make for an engaging study that I happily read in one sitting.

[Жанна Пояркова · Rating 4 out of 5]

Базовые сведения о самураях, сгруппированные по темам и снабженные массой иллюстраций. Каких-то откровений или специфики здесь нет, но все равно книга хорошая. Единственный недостаток - нет источников иллюстраций.

[Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good read about basic Japanese culture and history with great art and photos dispersed throughout the book. If you desire more details look into "Secrets of the Samurai"

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of interesting...it definitely had it's moments. But, it was a bit dry and could have flowed better.

[Nathan Horn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very broad introduction to a lot of topics around the Samurai. Great as a primer, but do not expect serious depth.

[Samra · Rating 4 out of 5]

very detail history. I didn't know about them until this. I love the samurai artwork

[Estefany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I admire the Samurais even more.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only does this book provide a great overview of the Samurai of feudal Japan, but the period pictures on every couple of pages were amazing.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book