{"product_id":"the-first-samurai-the-life-and-legend-of-the-warrior-rebel-taira-masakado-paperback","title":"The First Samurai: The Life and Legend of the Warrior Rebel, Taira Masakado - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eKarl F. Friday\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA portrait of Japan's first significant samurai leader and his world \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWas samurai warrior Taira Masakado a quixotic megalomaniac or a hero swept up by events beyond his control? Did he really declare himself to be the \"\"New Emperor\"\"? Did he suffer divine retribution for his ego and ambition? Filled with insurrections, tribal uprisings, pirate disturbances, and natural disasters, this action-packed account of Masakado's insurrection offers a captivating introduction to the samurai, their role in 10th-century society, and the world outside the capital-a must-read for those interested in early Japan, samurai warfare, or the mystique of ancient warriors. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eKarl Friday (Athens, GA) is a Professor of History at the University of Georgia. A renowned expert on the samurai and early Japanese history, he has authored four books and appeared on numerous A\u0026amp;E, History, and Discovery Channel programs. He is active on several Web forums.\u003ch3\u003eFront Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is the kind of story from which great tragic operas are made: A brave warrior of noble birth and royal ancestry runs afoul of a jealous neighbor who then ambushes him in the countryside. The warrior and his followers defeat their attackers, only to be targeted by others who now fear his growing strength. Overly impressed with his continued success against his enemies, he becomes consumed with hubris and soon falls victim to his own ambition. Add to this the mystique of the samurai, the pageantry of Japan's tenth-century imperial court, and legends of a flying head whose curse has caused disasters for a thousand years, and this compelling tale becomes a drama of epic proportions. \u003cbr\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe First Samurai, \u003c\/em\u003e you'll discover the amazing true story of Taira Masakado, Japan's first samurai hero. This gripping account traces the roots of Masakado's bloody feud with local rivals, including his uncles and brothers-in-law. It explains how apparently trifling squabbles grew into years of bitter provincial warfare involving thousands of highly trained samurai. \u003cbr\u003eHow could Masakado and the other elite landholders of his region amass and maintain such formidable forces? What led Masakado to seize control of eight provincial government headquarters, and declare himself overlord of eastern Japan? And why did he fail? \u003cbr\u003eThe answers to these questions provide a fascinating glimpse into the political, social, and military structure of tenth-century Japan. \u003cbr\u003eYou'll also discover that many popular and scholarly conceptions of early samurai warfare aspicturesque, quaintly ritualized, and respectful of noncombatants are pure myth. In reality, ambush was the preferred form of attack, and ferocious raiding and looting were typical of the time. These tactics and strategies were partly the result of the nature of samurai combat, but they were also strongly influenced by the political and property structure of the country. \u003cbr\u003eFilled with harrowing battle scenes, enchanting portraits of early Japan, and astounding legends of Masakado's celebrated life after death, \u003cem\u003eThe First Samurai\u003c\/em\u003e is a must-read for anyone interested in the samurai, early Japanese history, and a whopping good tale well told.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKarl Friday is a professor of history at the University of Georgia. A renowned expert on the samurai and early Japanese history, he is the author of four books and has appeared on numerous A\u0026amp;E, History, and Discovery Channel programs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 232\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.49 x 9.21 x 6.14 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 01, 2007\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47641105596669,"sku":"9781684425891","price":28.58,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/3414\/0157\/files\/bWdKT2hvelBrTnpRZ2wzMmlJUk52UT09.webp?v=1780480626","url":"https:\/\/booktolia.com\/products\/the-first-samurai-the-life-and-legend-of-the-warrior-rebel-taira-masakado-paperback","provider":"booktolia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}