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Learning about samurai
Posted: November 16th, 2006 2:34 pm
by jkid
Hi all,
I want to learn more about the samurai class in Japan. Any book recommendations?
Thanks.
Re: Learning about samurai
Posted: November 16th, 2006 5:15 pm
by Bueller_007
jkid wrote:Hi all,
I want to learn more about the samurai class in Japan. Any book recommendations?
Thanks.
I've not read any of them, but from what I know, these are the standard samurai books:
Book of the Five Rings
Bushido
Hakagure
Musashi
Otherwise, I'm sure Wikipedia has a ton of information.
Posted: November 16th, 2006 10:42 pm
by jkid
I will look into these. I didn't even think of Wikipedia *wow* how very ばか of me!
Thanks Buellerさん
Posted: November 17th, 2006 9:11 am
by Bueller_007
Oops. It's "Hagakure", not "Hakagure".
The 47 Ronin Tale might also be a good thing to read.
Posted: November 19th, 2006 11:29 pm
by Ben
Stephen Turnbull has written some excellent books on the history of the samurai.
Posted: November 21st, 2006 5:31 pm
by jkid
Thanks for that, his book are sure to be very helpful.
Posted: November 22nd, 2006 1:56 am
by Ben
No problem, glad to be able to help! ^^
Posted: December 18th, 2006 8:45 pm
by Yoshiko
I read 'Taiko' by Yoshikawa.
Posted: December 25th, 2006 3:55 pm
by asahi_nysurf
Death in Midsummer by Mishima.
Posted: March 25th, 2007 1:31 am
by Jordi
I'm reading Musashi by Yoshikawa right now and I must say, it's really informative!
Posted: March 25th, 2007 7:00 pm
by Yoshiko
Great! I bought Musashi in a second hand bookstore. Not read it yet.
What do you think of Haruki Murakami? I read 'Umibe no Kafuka'. Well, in dutch (Kafka op het strand) ... I think in English it is 'Kafka on the beach'.
I also saw a documentary about him, 'Dinner with Murakami'.
Posted: April 1st, 2007 3:27 am
by debito
Murakami-san does not write about Samurai.
If you want to learn the true ways of the bushido warrior, watch the movie "The Last Samurai"
you believe the movies? :wink:
Posted: April 1st, 2007 10:11 pm
by Yoshiko
I know Murakami doesn't write about samurai. OK, maybe its a bit off-topic.
I've got the DVD of The last samurai and also saw it in the cinema. But I think Tom should have died.
and it's too Hollywood. If you want to know something about samurai, this movie is just a start.
I recommend 'Gohatto'
Anyway, the books mentioned above are much more useful, like 'Go rin no sho', like Bueller-san said. (Book of five rings)
Posted: April 2nd, 2007 7:34 am
by debito
Gohatto? I wouldn't recommend such a homo-erotic pretty boy film for anyone learning about Samurai. Check out Akira Kurosawa's films. Thanks.
Posted: April 2nd, 2007 5:51 pm
by Yoshiko
Did you see the smiley? I said it because The Last Samurai is this 'great hero' epic kind of movie.