Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan A Book Report
The book entitled Samurai, Warfare the State in Early Medieval Japan, which was written by Karl F. Friday and was published in 2003 by Routledge, is simply a very interesting and insightful book because of its contents. Students of history and students of history who are focused on a cultural aspect found only in the history and culture of Japan - the samurai - will find the pages of this book very interesting. The author takes the reader into a journey back in time wherein the reader can get to know more about the real essence and the true aspects of the samurai and the warfare features during the medieval Japan. The author carefully divides the topics to put significant focus on each of the important topics.
The discussion began with the analysis and discussion on how war was actually defined at least in the context of that era, followed by the information regarding the organization of war. Reading the book further on is an experience akin to first hand training in soldiering in the medieval Japan, especially once the reader reaches the section that tackles the tools of war. This is followed by two important chapters, one dedicated to discussing the science of war and the other the culture of war. Overall, the book provided a graphic detailing and story telling about a colorful and riveting era and cultural characteristic of medieval Japan. This is something that is completely lost to the modern world and is but a part of a memory which will never be forgotten considering how the world and not just Japan continues to be enamored by the life of the samurai, how they fought in wars and battles, how they found honor in warfare, and how judiciously they undertook the task of war, and was being sensitive, intellectual, spiritual and emotional about it at the same time.
While there maybe other books that tackle the topic of warfare and the samurai of Japan in the medieval era of the country, this book has shown that it can provide important information that is helpful in the creation of and understanding of this particular cultural feature of Japans storied and colorful history. Clearly, the theme of the book is the intertwined socio-cultural, socio-political and socio-military nature of the samurai and the aspect of warfare as conducted by the society and its citizens.
In analysis, this book finds its connection to classroom lectures and textbook content through the presentation of important factual information regarding an important part of the history of Japan. It is a long story. While textbooks and classroom discussions can provide the audience, student or reader an idea regarding the history of Japan in one or two sitting, books that have supporting information about aspects of the history of Japan that captures the interest of the individual - like the medieval era and the samurai - can use other books beside the textbook in school for further reading and additional information. That is how this book by Friday comes into the picture, by providing the students and the readers with an in-depth take on a particular aspect of Japanese culture, history and origin. This connects to the discussion of the history of Japan because this is an important section of the history, a point in time wherein many of Japans past and present cultural features are hinged on, a part of the history that has significantly contributed to the present Japanese culture and tradition.
The student of history will appreciate the information found in this book because the samurai way of life and the warfare lifestyle during that time was an important aspect of the culture at the time. It was born out of spiritual, social and political beliefs as well as out of necessity, since many political differences are settled through the sword at the time. Nonetheless, warfare and the samurai have affected the future of Japan in many ways. The samurai has become an iconic Japanese symbol for many things like being a warrior, about honor and skill, etc, while the concepts and ideas on warfare at the time allowed military leaders of the country knowledge and information that was used and passed on from generation to generation. This is something that is always consulted and from which wisdom was lifted from.
The name and title, and even the content of the book are deceiving. To those who do not understand the history of Japan and to those who do not know Japan during its early medieval era would just think that the writer was focusing on just one aspect of Japanese way of life and that it may not be sufficient to say that this acts as a microcosm or symbolism for the life and culture at the time. The truth is that its contents is strongly connected to the present day lessons about Japans history because a lot of the things about what Japan is today is connected to the culture of the samurai and warfare during the medieval Japan.
While focusing on war and the samurai culture of the medieval Japan, Friday was actually using this perspective point or point of view to discuss history as how it was seen in the perspective of those who are involved in the samurai way of life. Those who lived and die under the tumultuous era of political power struggle featured honor, as well as necessity in warfare, all the more, making this aspect of the Japanese way of life a source of pride and glory for Japan and its students of history.
The history of Japan is very interesting. It is not surprising if historians, as well as students of history are captivated by certain parts or eras in the history of the country. Often, the era of the medieval Japan featuring the samurai way of life is something that many people find beautiful and interesting because it was as if this was indeed a truly different time and place. Through books like Fridays Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan, students are assisted in gaining and accessing more information. Their learning experience is heightened by the input that these kinds of books provide, since these books, like Fridays, contain information that not everyone may be able to come across while taking Japanese history in broad stroke.
The discussion began with the analysis and discussion on how war was actually defined at least in the context of that era, followed by the information regarding the organization of war. Reading the book further on is an experience akin to first hand training in soldiering in the medieval Japan, especially once the reader reaches the section that tackles the tools of war. This is followed by two important chapters, one dedicated to discussing the science of war and the other the culture of war. Overall, the book provided a graphic detailing and story telling about a colorful and riveting era and cultural characteristic of medieval Japan. This is something that is completely lost to the modern world and is but a part of a memory which will never be forgotten considering how the world and not just Japan continues to be enamored by the life of the samurai, how they fought in wars and battles, how they found honor in warfare, and how judiciously they undertook the task of war, and was being sensitive, intellectual, spiritual and emotional about it at the same time.
While there maybe other books that tackle the topic of warfare and the samurai of Japan in the medieval era of the country, this book has shown that it can provide important information that is helpful in the creation of and understanding of this particular cultural feature of Japans storied and colorful history. Clearly, the theme of the book is the intertwined socio-cultural, socio-political and socio-military nature of the samurai and the aspect of warfare as conducted by the society and its citizens.
In analysis, this book finds its connection to classroom lectures and textbook content through the presentation of important factual information regarding an important part of the history of Japan. It is a long story. While textbooks and classroom discussions can provide the audience, student or reader an idea regarding the history of Japan in one or two sitting, books that have supporting information about aspects of the history of Japan that captures the interest of the individual - like the medieval era and the samurai - can use other books beside the textbook in school for further reading and additional information. That is how this book by Friday comes into the picture, by providing the students and the readers with an in-depth take on a particular aspect of Japanese culture, history and origin. This connects to the discussion of the history of Japan because this is an important section of the history, a point in time wherein many of Japans past and present cultural features are hinged on, a part of the history that has significantly contributed to the present Japanese culture and tradition.
The student of history will appreciate the information found in this book because the samurai way of life and the warfare lifestyle during that time was an important aspect of the culture at the time. It was born out of spiritual, social and political beliefs as well as out of necessity, since many political differences are settled through the sword at the time. Nonetheless, warfare and the samurai have affected the future of Japan in many ways. The samurai has become an iconic Japanese symbol for many things like being a warrior, about honor and skill, etc, while the concepts and ideas on warfare at the time allowed military leaders of the country knowledge and information that was used and passed on from generation to generation. This is something that is always consulted and from which wisdom was lifted from.
The name and title, and even the content of the book are deceiving. To those who do not understand the history of Japan and to those who do not know Japan during its early medieval era would just think that the writer was focusing on just one aspect of Japanese way of life and that it may not be sufficient to say that this acts as a microcosm or symbolism for the life and culture at the time. The truth is that its contents is strongly connected to the present day lessons about Japans history because a lot of the things about what Japan is today is connected to the culture of the samurai and warfare during the medieval Japan.
While focusing on war and the samurai culture of the medieval Japan, Friday was actually using this perspective point or point of view to discuss history as how it was seen in the perspective of those who are involved in the samurai way of life. Those who lived and die under the tumultuous era of political power struggle featured honor, as well as necessity in warfare, all the more, making this aspect of the Japanese way of life a source of pride and glory for Japan and its students of history.
The history of Japan is very interesting. It is not surprising if historians, as well as students of history are captivated by certain parts or eras in the history of the country. Often, the era of the medieval Japan featuring the samurai way of life is something that many people find beautiful and interesting because it was as if this was indeed a truly different time and place. Through books like Fridays Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan, students are assisted in gaining and accessing more information. Their learning experience is heightened by the input that these kinds of books provide, since these books, like Fridays, contain information that not everyone may be able to come across while taking Japanese history in broad stroke.
