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Book Review Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune

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It's been a while since I read this excellent book, so details are sketchy but when see it's spine on my bookshelf I remember the intrigue and pleasure it brought me. It's written in an engaging style with enough detail to allow the reader to follow what is , after all, a complex story of duplicity, bravery and heroism. There's little mention of Benkei, unfortunately, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I've bought copies for several friends who know little about Japanese war history and they have enjoyed it too. When I finished the book and was looking over the cover, I was surprised and mildly embarrassed to realise that I'd just enjoyed a book aimed at a teenage audience!


Please don't let that put you off… I highly recommended this ripping yarn!
 
I now understand why it's not referenced as a historical source.

Hilarious: "Warning: very few people in this story die of natural causes."

Ukigumo said:
When I finished the book and was looking over the cover, I was surprised and mildly embarrassed to realise that I'd just enjoyed a book aimed at a teenage audience! Please don't let that put you off… I highly recommended this ripping yarn!
Click to expand...

Last night I finished two chapters, even though I couldn't keep my eyes open. Highly readable. I wish Ms Turner picked up other episodes of Japanese history. The Battle of Sekigahara?
 
thomas said:
I now understand why it's not referenced as a historical source.

Hilarious: "Warning: very few people in this story die of natural causes."
Click to expand...
When I was a teenager, that line would've highly encouraged me to read this book!
thomas said:
Last night I finished two chapters, even though I couldn't keep my eyes open. Highly readable. I wish Ms Turner picked up other episodes of Japanese history. The Battle of Sekigahara?
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Yes, she'd do a great job I think' and it'd be perfect for junior readers like you and me, thomas! See, we're young at heart!

It really is a good book, though. Please don't hesitate to read it, especially if you want to know about an important era of Japanese history.
 
I concur! And tragic heroes always have the most appeal.

Also highly recommended:

The Nobility of Failure

Long recognized as a core book in any study of Japanese culture and literature, The Nobility of Failure examines the lives and deaths of nine historical individuals who faced overwhelming odds, and, realizing they were doomed, accepted their fate--to be killed in battle or by execution, to...
books.google.co.jp
 
Oh yes! I have a copy somewhere but I can't find it. I'm going to spend the whole day trying to find it now
 
After looking everywhere without success, I've ordered another copy

However I've found some other books which I now find interesting!
 
Ukigumo said:
After looking everywhere without success, I've ordered another copy. However I've found some other books which I now find interesting!
Click to expand...

I decided to reread it, too, if I find the copy.

Years ago, I used to catalogue my Japan-related library with an app called Libib, which helped prevent ordering duplicates. However, keeping a digital archive also requires cataloguing and organising your home library. めんどくさい
 
Oh that's really useful I'll look into Libib especially if I can include a 'location'.

My issue is I usually know if I own a book, but I often don't know where it is! We downsized our living when moving from the north of the UK to the considerably more expensive south of the country. My old house, whose previous owner was a very nice premier league football player, had a 'library room' with expansive shelving where all my books were arranged in categories (he kept his trophies etc on them!). My current house is half the size with a much smaller study and shelves so some books are in boxes, in the basement, in the spare rooms...all over the place and sometimes I forget where. Very frustrating.
 
Sounds like the book you really need now is Marie Kondo's

 
The samurai manga artist I recommend is 平田弘史 (Hiroshi Hirata).

The English edition is titled Satsuma Gishiden. Crônicas dos Leais Guerreiros de Satsuma Volume 1 de 3.

I read it when I was a child and thought, "Samurai are terrifying…" Yet, since my ancestors were samurai from Satsuma, I was struck with a chill at the thought that my forebears must have lived in a world like this.

平田弘史 (Hiroshi Hirata)

Hiroshi Hirata (1937–2021) was a Japanese manga artist best known for his intense and highly realistic samurai (jidaigeki) manga. He is widely regarded as one of the masters of historical action comics in Japan.

Hirata's works focus on the harsh realities of feudal Japan, especially during the Edo period. His stories emphasize themes such as honor, loyalty, bushidō (the way of the warrior), social hierarchy, and tragic heroism. Unlike romanticized samurai tales, his manga often portray violence and moral conflict in a stark, dramatic style.

Artistic Style

Extremely detailed linework and expressive brush-style lettering

Dynamic sword-fighting scenes

Heavy use of classical Japanese dialogue and historical accuracy

Strong, stoic male protagonists

His art is often compared to traditional Japanese woodblock prints because of its bold composition and dramatic intensity.

Major Work

薩摩義士伝 (Satsuma Gishiden / Legend of the Satsuma Samurai)
One of his most famous works, depicting the true story of Satsuma samurai ordered to carry out a difficult river construction project in the 18th century. It is known for its tragic tone and powerful realism.

Amazon.co.jp: Satsuma Gishiden. Crônicas dos Leais Guerreiros de Satsuma Volume 1 de 3 : Japanese Books

Amazon.co.jp: Satsuma Gishiden. Crônicas dos Leais Guerreiros de Satsuma Volume 1 de 3 : Japanese Books
www.amazon.co.jp
Influence

Hirata influenced many later historical and samurai manga creators. His dedication to authenticity and classical aesthetics helped preserve traditional samurai storytelling within modern manga culture.

Although not as internationally famous as creators of mainstream shōnen manga, Hiroshi Hirata is highly respected among manga historians and fans of serious historical comics.
 
You are right: on Amazon US.

Satsuma Gishiden Vol. 1 TPB :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics

Controversial, tough, angry, highly skilled, and lost in a time of peace, the characters of Satsuma Gishiden tell a quasi-historical tale of social caste and brutal reprisal. Readers with a taste for Kazuo Koike's gritty Lone Wolf and Cub will go nuts for master gekiga artist Hiroshi Hirata's...
www.darkhorse.com
 
thomas said:
Looks very interesting, but it's in Portuguese.
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I was mistaken — my apologies. When I searched for other foreign-language editions, I found that there are also Spanish editions and others. However, it seems that many of the foreign-language versions are now out of print. It's unfortunate, because he has created so many excellent works.

One of my favorite works is Kairiki no Haha ("The Strong Mother"). It tells the story of a warlord's wife who survived the turbulent Sengoku era, exploring the question of how one should live — with strength and with kindness.

Another is Nihon Sōzetsu-shi ("A Brutal History of Japan"), a collection of historical short stories depicting the fierce and often tragic lives of people who, though tossed about by their times, remained true to their beliefs and pride. These are powerful period dramas portraying samurai, rōnin, and others in extreme situations — their anger, obsession, and blood-stained resolve rendered with overwhelming intensity.
 
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