**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.