Explore Japanese history books covering samurai, religion, war, pop culture and modern society, from ancient Japan to today.

Hisyo Ishida is looking at me with undisguised disappointment. I cannot blame him. His movements are sharp where mine are clumsy. His hair is pulled into a neat topknot where mine is flapping in my ...

Clad in armour and guided by a strict code of honour, Japan’s samurai were more than elite warriors; they were the architects ...

The Japanese sword, often epitomized by the katana, is more than just a weapon. It is a symbol of Japan’s rich cultural history, craftsmanship, and the ideals of the samurai who wielded it. Known for ...

The samurai belonged to the intellectual elite of Japanese society and practiced creative disciplines like calligraphy and poetry that often contrasted with the violent nature of battle. The warrior ...

The world of samurai is being showcased at the British Museum in London. A new exhibition aims to show how these iconic Japanese figures were far more than fierce warriors.

One of the most influential character archetypes in film history is adapting to contemporary social mores and finding new life on Japan’s screens big and small. By Gavin Blair By the time the samurai ...