A captivating and comprehensive guide to Japan's elite class of warriors—revised and updated with over 70 color photographs!

The Samurai played a leading role in Japanese society for centuries, and this is the first encyclopedia to showcase the fascinating history and culture of these enigmatic warriors. With a new foreword by Samurai scholar and martial arts expert Alexander Bennet and over 70 new color photographs, this newly designed edition offers the most comprehensive and enticing collection of Samurai information available today.

This book contains 171 highly detailed alphabetical entries and essays on a broad variety of intriguing topics, including the following:

• Samurai weapons and armor, including the fearsome katana sword
• Famous Samurai including Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's greatest swordsman; Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate; and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a uni?er of Japan and notorious persecutor of Christians in the 16th century
• The Battle of Sekigahara, the largest battle ever to take place in Japan, and the Boshin War, which led to the fall of the shogunate and restoration of imperial power
• The Bushido code—the legendary Samurai code of chivalry and honor

The new foreword by renowned Samurai historian Alexander Bennett provides expert insights into the lives and philosophy of the Samurai. Also included are many informative sidebars, suggestions for further reading, a selection of primary sources, and over 125 illustrations.