Spiritual depth behind Japan's legendary warriors.
If you're intrigued by the fusion of martial honor and spiritual devotion, "The Samurai and The Sacred" will be an eye-opener. Stephen Turnbull is renowned for his expertise in Japanese history, and in this book, he paints an intimate portrait of the samurai's spiritual world. It goes beyond the battlefield, unveiling deep religious convictions that shaped these iconic figures. A treat for history buffs and those fascinated by the philosophical underpinnings of warrior cultures.
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
ISBN: 9781846030215
Authors:
Stephen Turnbull
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Date of Publication: 2006-10-31
Format: Hardcover
Goodreads rating: 3.94
(rated by 118 readers)
Description
The samurai were celebrated warriors, but they were also deeply spiritual men whose religious beliefs sustained and inspired their forays into battle. In this entirely original work, Stephen Turnbull, a leading authority on Japanese history and author of more than 50 books, reveals the soul of the samurai in a thoughtful exploration of the religions and philosophies that motivated them. Drawing inspiration from all manners of belief systems – from Japan’s mainstream religions of Shinto and Buddhism, to Confucianism, Christianity, and Folk Religion – the samurai were fascinating men who often valued their honor above their lives. The Samurai and the Sacred is strikingly illustrated with lavish Japanese prints and vibrant photographs. A provocative study, it includes chapters on martial arts, modern militarism, the cult of the sword, revenge, suicide, hara kiri and kamikaze pilots. The Samurai and the Sacred is a compelling read that provides insight into Japanese culture, philosophy, and warfare.
Condition guide
Book Condition Guide
Books in Like New Condition
This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Very Good Condition
This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Good Condition
We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Well Read Condition
This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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Spiritual depth behind Japan's legendary warriors.
If you're intrigued by the fusion of martial honor and spiritual devotion, "The Samurai and The Sacred" will be an eye-opener. Stephen Turnbull is renowned for his expertise in Japanese history, and in this book, he paints an intimate portrait of the samurai's spiritual world. It goes beyond the battlefield, unveiling deep religious convictions that shaped these iconic figures. A treat for history buffs and those fascinated by the philosophical underpinnings of warrior cultures.
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
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