The recent release of the showShõgunon FX, an adaptation of the book by James Clavell, has got everyone talking about Japanese history, philosophy, and the events that happened in the Edo era.Shõgunwas able to depict, to some degree, what Japan was like in the 1500s and 1600s during the Battle of Sekigahara.
Samurai Swords - A Collector’s Guide: A Comprehensive Introduction to History, Collecting and Preservation - of the Japanese Sword By Clive Sinclaire
Gai-Jin By James Clavell
John Blackthorne, an English sailor, finds himself in an unfamiliar land and culture where he meets Lord Toranaga, a daimyõ whose political rivals are at odds with him. The story ofShõgunhas kept viewers glued to screens, and today, Game Rant has compiled a list of books that give the same vibe asShõgun. These are the best stories to bridge the gap between the real world and that of fiction, and we also threw in a few non-fictional works.
The Book of Five Rings By Miyamoto Musashi Translated By Valentin Rey Illustrated Edition
Known as the legendary samurai, Miyamoto Musashi’s Book of Five Rings is a classic work that details his reflection on martial arts, his philosophy of life, and combat techniques. His text also offers teachings that can be applied to the challenges of everyday life. This edition also comes with the biography of Miyamoto Musashi.
Musashi By Eiji Yoshikawa, Translated By Charles S. Terry
If you are indeed a huge fan of the Edo era of Japan, then Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa is a book for you. The story follows Miyamoto Musashi in his journey to become one with his sword and to understand the true meaning of the way of the sword in his journey to become a samurai.
Miyamoto Musashi: His Life And Writing By Kenji Tokitsu And Sherab Chodzin
Kenji Tokitsu opens a framework for viewing Musashi’s life and writing, one where Kenji separates facts from fiction to give a clear picture. Tokitsu provides a view of Musashi’s ideas, is translated, and provides extensive commentary on Musashi’s works.
Dokkôdô by Musashi Miyamoto Translated By Harry Studer
Dokkôdô by Musashi is a list of twenty-one rules that Musashi refined throughout his life. The rules are focused on his ascetic life, which brings peace and fulfillment. Dokkôdô also creates a pathway for personal growth and self-mastery, where he talks about the importance of self-reliance and encourages one to take responsibility for his actions.
Woman in the Crested Kimono: The Life of Shibue Io and Her Family Drawn from Mori Ogai’s Shibue Chusai By Edwin Mcclellan
Edwin McClellan crafts the story around 19th-century Japan, following the story of Shibue Lo and her family. Shibue is the wife of a distinguished scholar-doctor from the samurai class family. We see her through the eyes of her husband, her son, and the novelist.
Flame In The Mist By Renée Ahdieh
Mariko is the daughter of a samurai whose life has already been laid out for her. Her family is using her to raise their status. Mariko escapes the hands of death on her way to her new family, but life has other plans for her. This story is inspired by Hua Mulan, and it is far from being just a fairytale.
Memoirs of a Geisha By Arthur Golden
Arthur Golden takes us through the eyes of Nitta Sayuri and tells the story of her life as a geisha in 1929. It tells the story of a once innocent girl sold into slavery, and we witness her transformation. Memoirs of a Geisha depicts a world where appearance is everything and love is believed to be an illusion. It is definitely unforgettable.
Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan by Eiji Yoshikawa Translated By William Scott Wilson
From the pen of Eiji Yoshikawa comes another mind-blowing novel. Eiji’s craft focuses on the Edo period, when the shogunate crumbled, villages were plundered, and warlords battled for supremacy. Three men could only dream of uniting their nation. Nobunaga, Leyasu, and Hideyoshi set out on their journey to fulfill their dream.
The Samurai By Shusaka Endo Translated By Van C. Gessel
Four low-ranking samurai set out on a long journey to Europe in an attempt to secure trading rights with the West. Set in the 1600s, the story focuses on Hasekura, a Japanese envoy to the Viceroy of Mexico and Pope Paul V. He finds out that the success of his mission depends on his conversion to Christianity.
Samurai Rising: The Epic Life Of Minamoto Yoshitsune By Pamela S. Turner, Illustrated By Gareth Hinds
This epic page-turner by Pamela follows the story of young Yoshitsune, whose father lost his life in the struggle for power in the 12th century. Losing his family to the Taira, Minamoto is sent to the monastery, where he grows into a teenager. But once the Minamoto clan rose to its enemies, Yoshitsune took the reins.
This book is designed to enhance one’s knowledge and appreciation of Japanese swords (Katana), how they are manufactured, and their preservation. It entails the story of how the Samurai warriors dominated Japan for over a thousand years and how it lost to technological advancement in the 1860s. The book is illustrated with photographs, maps, paintings, and drawings. A perfect book for collectors as it guides them through a part of Japanese history.
From the author of Shõgun comes another thrilling story of Gai-Jin; James Clavell takes us on another rollercoaster of blackmail and political struggle as Malcolm Struan struggles to survive and thrive in a different world. James Clavell always has his way of making his readers want and search for more.
Japanese history and philosophy are fascinating when one begins to think about them; these hand-picked novels and nonfiction books promise an unforgettable experience. If you are a fan of history and Japanese culture and have always wanted to know what it was like during the Edo era, you’re able to submerge yourself in these books, as they have it all.
Game Rant’s top recommendation for this list isGai-Jinby James Clavell. The author ofShõguncomes up with another mind-blowing story to keep its readers on edge. The second recommendation isThe Book of Five Ringsby Miyamoto Musashi, one of Japan’s renowned samurai who became one with his sword. In his writing, he teaches all he has come to understand and his life’s philosophy.
No, the samurai originated from the Japanese.
Q: What is the difference between a shõgun and a samurai?
A shõgun is not a samurai, as they are at the top of Japan’s military, while samurai are a group of elite warriors or soldiers.
