Legends of the Samurai

by Hiroaki Sato

Looking beyond the image of the almost superhuman swordsmen promoted in modern film and literature, Hiroaki Sato confronts both the history and the legend of the samurai, untangling the two to present an authentic picture of these legendary warriors. Through his translations of original samurai tales, laws, dicta, reports and arguments, accompanied by insightful commentary, Sato chronicles the changing ethos of the Japanese warrior from the samurai's historical origins to his rise to political power in the 18th century.

Genres: History, Japan, Nonfiction, Japanese Literature, Martial Arts, Asian Literature, Audiobook

394 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1995

About the author

Hiroaki Sato (佐藤 紘彰) born 1942, is a Japanese poet and prolific translator who writes frequently for The Japan Times. He has been called (by Gary Snyder) "perhaps the finest translator of contemporary Japanese poetry into American English."

Reviews

[Quiet · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me over a year to read this book.

I'm going to set this straight for anyone interested; this isn't a novel, this isn't history, this isn't a fable:
This is a coffee-table book.

It's not very interesting, and none of the dozens of stories about samurai are engaging, at least on a meaningful level. Most of the stories are little more than a few pages long, and often, as is the nature with hundreds of years old topics, there isn't much fact to go on. Ultimately, Sato's book, which attempts to realistically and factually explore who the Samurai actually were, genuinely can't do so, and so instead simply repeats the stories you'll find in the earliest of Japanese writings, all of which is, in some way, more fable than fiction, let alone truth.

It's just boring, but it's also not the kind of book it seems like it will be. This is not a history of the samurai, nor an accounting of important samurai persons; it's just a slew of very brief stories of different samurai (most of whom are probably made up) that are actually the same story and with the same message repeated over and over.

I don't recommend this book to anyone, honestly. If you're interested in Samurai then find an actual history book, because this book is so confused in that it presents the blatantly fictitious along with the *relatively* factual.

Further, if you know anything about the samurai, then you know that they were mostly giant pieces of sh*t, and they operated on a scale almost indifferent to European knights. So right; the majority of heroics in this book are undoubtedly bull, because just like knights the samurai we're 99% a bunch of privilidged twats who didn't earn their position but were born into it because of a rigid class-society. So yeah; most of this book is mythology, presented poorly, and far more clearly and excitingly so in many, many other texts.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all anthologies a choice was made here by the editor, indeed in this case several choices. The first was to assume that the reader already knew rather a lot about samurai in general, as well as Japanese history, and was simply looking to read some of what was written about them and by them. The second is naturally which excerpts to use. I really enjoyed the pieces of work that were chosen and I found them very interesting to read. This book left me wishing time and time again however that I knew more about the Waring States Period than I actually do.

[Jay Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of stories about the Samurai. I still cringe when I think of disembowelment and beheading, but if you can get through that, the Samurai had an interesting code of ethics. I have always been fascinated with Japanese History, but remember they mix legend and history. This was easier for me than some others because I have some understanding of the history of Japan. Therefore, I would recommend this to individuals that have a background where they have some exposure to Japanese civilization.

[Talbot Hook · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be clear, this is not a set of gripping historical thrillers; nor is it a clean pour from history's stream; still less is it readily accessible to the modern reader. What Sato has done is compile a broad view of samurai literature, written mostly by samurai (and those close to them) for other samurai: such that this book highlights fables, parables, codes, treatises, and poetry all centered around what it meant to be in Japan's warrior caste. To say that this world of intricate ritual, ordained speech, and rigid, byzantine patterns of honor negotiation is complex is about as unnecessary as mentioning that Hemingway liked to write about day-drinking. But many of the stories are fascinating for what they teach of the Way of the Sword -- memorable lectures on humility, moderation, warfare, discipline, and education. (Lest we forget that the second arm of the samurai, in addition to the sword, was the pen.) To a modern reader, this way of life is difficult to penetrate, so far removed as it is from our own; but this is precisely the reason we read historical tracts: to attempt to crack the nutshell of former times, gathering wisdom and information from worldviews not our own in an endeavor to understand how best to live our own lives. Not for nothing did business executives in the later decades of the Twentieth Century pick up samurai literature in an attempt to strike down their capitalist adversaries; and if they can gain something from such works, surely the average reader can do so as well. This is a good and patient guide into a way of life that is likely disappeared.

[Jesse Martinez-Kratz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and informative survey of Japanese samurai that doesn't seek to strictly view them through orientalism.

[Etta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an easy read. More like a textbook on Japanese military history from 1100-1900

[Ian Williamson · Rating 2 out of 5]

So and so was a lord and then he disemboweled himself, so then all his servants (all named and further explained for no real reason) all also disemboweled themselves. Then the one guy that didn't khs stormed the castle and died. Everyone who fought against him got promoted. The end.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it interesting, that in the reviews/comments, the number of people that had difficulty getting through this book. I have to claim myself as one of them, at least the first time I attempted this 4-5 years ago. I definitely struggled with the writing, the concepts and really the nature of how the book is put together. Since then I have done a substantial amount of reading on Asian history, particularly China. I would have to say, that having a reading background particularly in either Chinese or Japanese history/literature is really helpful. So much so I found the reading this time around to quite easy and free flowing.

The book is a collection of stories/essays written by Japanese contemporaries (at least that is my understanding) to the activities they describe. It is all excerpted from various Japanese histories, and some writings of samurai. The book is divided into four parts each with several sections. The editor provides background before each section and as he felt it was needed inside the sections to explain what is going on. Most of the book is historical with only a few exceptions. The book really came alive for me in part two, and then really blossomed in part three. The sections I most enjoyed were When A Samurai Falls In Love (A tale of a samurai falling in unrequited love with anothers wife), the section on Shingen and Kenshin, My Father, and essay by Arai Hakuseki about his samurai father ( to be quite honest it is very touching), Hagakure, and the arguments for and against the actions of the 47 Ronin. The book ends with The Abe Family, an historical story (historical fiction as we would put it these days). The author of that piece was Mori Ogai, who was deeply affected by the suicide of General Nogi Maresuke, who had decided to follow his Emperor Meiji in death. It is an interesting essay on suicide and the reasons for it in the samurai's mind.

I will say this, the tendency for the samurai class to change their names 2-3 times in their lifetime makes things a bit confusing. The editor does try to lessen the effect, but it still can be confusing. The book is more or less chronological, and it is a worthwhile read.

[Dwight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great as an audiobook... more of a reference book.

[AshishB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legends of The Samurai is a collection of stories about different Samurai's thru-out the Land of the Rising Sun. Book was delightful and interesting. I loved the way book was an assembled collection of stories of so many different Samurai's and their way of life. Samurai Culture was legend as well as history. Many of the stories have very strange ring to it. The ethics and pride these great people carried were everything for them. This book has helped me learn that perfectly. Only thing I didn't like was the pronunciation of the language. Its not bad but could've been better, they could've worked over that. But overall very very fascinating book I've ever read on Samurai Lifestyle and Culture.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is probably absolutely fine. It's just not what I had expected, which is my fault for doing poor research. I had hoped for a book about the history of samurai. But apart from the introduction (which is excellent) each chapter tells the (sometimes certainly apocryphal) story of a separate samurai. Probably a fascinating book for someone interested in this, but as I said, I had expected something else.

[Kevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I give this a one star, not because it is a bad book, but because it is a bad book for me. I got this at a garage sale a few years ago. It looked interesting at the time, but it is DEATHLY dry and dull to read. I read a little over half of it, then just realized, life is too short to read books you aren't getting anything from.

[Rebecca Barilovits · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a master’s degree in East asian history and a good background in Japanese history and this book bored me to tears- maybe the audiobook format didn’t help, but it amazed me how a topic as awesome as the samurai could be rendered so boring. The academic treatises I’ve read were more entertaining

[AltLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the detail and the unique perspective that this book brings. I like the emphasis on classic Japanese literature used throughout the book, though I can see why others might not like it. It did drag in spots, however.

[MasterSal]

June 29 2021

I have tried reading this book twice. Last time was almost 2018. Since then this book keeps taking up shelf space and reproaching me for using it as a dust catcher.

Since I bought this almost a decade ago I think it’s time to admit I’m not going to read this.

I’m sorry legends

[N.A.K. Baldron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy, fast read. Best skimmed.

[Víctor Segovia · Rating 4 out of 5]

libro interesante

[Nate Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Samurai movies are better.

[Carl Bonano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much more of historical documentation rather than entertainment

[C.E. Crowder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a Japanese history text, but it could be a great supplement to one. It's a collection of Japanese legends and histories which feature samurai, presented chronologically but also divided into three parts: tales of individual heroics and other famed acts; tales of war that do verge on relating Japanese history; and a more philosophically themed section that mostly covers events of the Tokugawa period, featuring Musashi's Book of Five Elements and the revenge story of the Forty-Seven Samurai.

The introduction is fantastic at briefly providing an overview of the different eras of Japan's history, and at establishing basic knowledge about samurai culture. I liked the presentation of the content that followed, which alternates between translations from the sources and the author's explanatory passages that establish setting and context. There are also substantial footnotes provided as aids. A straightforward translation of the sources without any of this support would have left me in the dark and much less appreciative. Hiroaki Sato uses sources that were recorded closest to the actual occurrence of events, to minimize the exaggeration in their retelling over the centuries. Even so, the earliest tales read like Greek mythology, but there is a clear progression in the objectivity with which these histories were recorded. The author/translator notes a bias whenever he feels one occurs, sometimes citing sources with opposing versions for contrast.

Thanks to this work I'm now much more familiar with the 'greats' of samurai lore. I can't seem to readily retain most of these Japanese names, but I'll be keeping this book as reference and making connections as I read other works on the subject in hopes of making the names 'stick' eventually. I was surprised how frequently deception is lauded as a tactic in these tales (particularly the faking one's death, an oft-used ploy); I would have thought that ran contrary to the samurai honour code, so it goes to show how much I've yet to understand. I was also intrigued by the strong emphasis on art forms that balances or even overshadows the rigorous martial arts training a samurai required. Poetry is closely linked to the warrior way, as explained in the introduction, and it is featured in many of the tales. The author does a great job of explaining quoted poetic nuances through his asides or in the footnotes.

The content here consists only of highlights from the selected sources, some of them very brief. You would have to look elsewhere to find the full source translations, but this is a great overview of select readings that provides a solid framework and goes a long way to introducing the legends of the samurai.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sato writes in the introduction that he set out to write a book about the samurai that consisted in a truer account of the legendary warriors than most tales would have us believe. It consists of a collection of contemporary writings about the samurai (written by observers of the events as they had taken place) from the legends, accompanied by notes on translation, comparison to conflicting accounts, expert opinions on the accuracy or inaccuracy of the various accounts, and perhaps most invaluably to the Western reader, commentary on the historical and cultural context in which the tales took place.

Very dry non-fiction, but a great read for the samurai history buff. Most unique, I thought, was Sato's commentary (and emphasis in a number of accounts) on the samurai poetic tradition. Excellent perspectives on the true samurai.

[Gail Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in stories about samurai, including the 47 Ronin, and historical interpretations then this is the book for you. It can get to be tough sledding through all the samurai names (which change over time), but if that is your interest, the this is worth it.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Őszintén szólva nem bánom, hogy sikerült a végére érnem a könyvnek.
Habár érdekel a kultúra, és abból is a szamurájok gondolkodásmódja, viselkedése, nekem ez egy kicsit sok volt, és egy csöppet (sőt, nagyon) száraz.
Ám azt nem vitatom, hogy voltak benne érdekes részek, elgondolkodtató történetek.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy reading this book, and I am so glad that I am done. The stories are told poorly, yet I did learn something about Samurai culture. The last half of Sato's "legends" seem to be focused on disembowelment and the moral choices of men who chose to end their lives.

[Nicole C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am intrigued with the way of the samurai and that was what attracted me to read this book. There are some very interesting stories but the middle drags on for some time and I lost my motivation to finish reading with about 50 pages left.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is just a type of mythology/fiction type of history of samurai culture, the era of the Tokugawa, Nobunaga Oda, and other legendary figures during this period of Japanese history.

[Stephen Hugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting look at the mythos of the samurai through literature and historical documents.

[Jessie B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

The subject matter of this book is interesting so I kept going half way through the book, but the style(I am blaming a very poor translation) makes the book dull and at times incomprehensible.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the research.

[Anthony Rios · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the informed reader with a background in Japanese folklore, this book is invaluable as a reference to the great works of samurai legendry.