Selected writings from the most influential texts of the samurai era—in a pocket-size edition.
The samurai of Japan, who were the country's military elite from medieval times to the end of the nineteenth century, were synonmous with valor, honor, and martial arts prowess. Their strict adherence to the code of bushido ("the way of the warrior"), chivalry, and honor in fighting to the death continues to capture the imagination of people today, inspiring authors, filmmakers, and artists.
The Pocket Samurai
contains the essential writings of the era by the most esteemed samurai and philosophers of the age, including the iconic Miyamoto Musashi, author of
The Book of Five Rings
; Yamamoto Tsunetomo, author of
Hagakure
, the best-known explication of the samurai code; Takuan Soho, the Zen priest and adviser to samurai; Yagyu Munenori, whose
The Life-Giving Sword
describes a deeply spiritual approach to sword fighting; and others.