Hagakure: The Code of the Samurai (The Manga Edition) - Softcover

Tsunetomo, Yamamoto

Softcover

ISBN 10: 4770031203 ISBN 13: 9784770031204

Publisher: Kodansha International, 2011

Synopsis

Based on William Scott Wilson's definitive translation, adapted by scriptwriter and comic book/manga author Sean Wilson, and with lively drawings by well-known illustrator Chie Kutsuwada, this first-ever graphic treatment of what's considered the most influential of all samurai treatises is sure to delight manga fans, martial arts enthusiasts, and students of Japanese culture.

Reminiscent of The Arabian Nights in structure, Hagakure is a collection of tales and anecdotes that offer instruction and insight into the philosophy and code of behavior that foster the true spirit of Bushido – the Way of the Warrior. A young, upcoming samurai seeks the advice of an older, seasoned warrior who has become a Zen monk. The ambitious young samurai humbly begs to learn from the old master, who consents. So begins a series of eventful meetings.

At each sitting. the master tells his young student tales of samurai past. Tales of famous warriors are recited, as well as ignoble gaffs. With brutal, unrelenting samurai justice, wrongs are righted and judgment is enacted. With each incident, the young novice learns what it means to be a samurai. Learns what courage and right thought are. Learns the harsh realities and subtle wisdom of his age.

Writer Sean Wilson and illustrator Chie Kutsuwada both bring ample experience in the genre to this project. And, as an added bonus, William Scott Wilson, the translator of the original Kodansha International version of the book, provides an illuminating Afterword.

About this title

From the Author

Hi all, this is Sean Michael Wilson, the clever wee lad who made the manga script adaptation of Hagakure.Recently our Hagakure:manga edition has received two 5 star reviews at the UK version of Amazon. One of them is by a Doctor Sahal, and is an ideal example of the kind of intelligent adult reader who doesnt like manga or comic books normally,  but loves THIS book. His review is so perfectly fitted to what our aim was that its like we wrote it ourselves! (but we didn't - shojiki desu!). One of the main aims we had at Kodansha International (now USA, Inc) was to add to the growing, yet still small amount of 'mature manga' available in English. To show that manga can tackle difficult subjects of history, philosophy, culture, etc in a way that is both interesting and intelligent. 'Of course they can!' is the cry of those smart people already in the know, but most still don't appreciate this. So please pick up a copy of HAGAKURE: THE MANGA EDITION and see for yourself.

About the Author

Sean Michael Wilson is from Scotland, now living in Japan. He is the only British pro comic book writer living in Japan. He has had many books published with a variety of US, UK and Japanese publishers, such as 'A Christmas Carol' (Sunday Times 'Best of 2008'), 'The Story of Lee' (NBM), 'The Book of Five Rings' (Shambhala Publications) and edited the critically acclaimed 'AX:alternative manga' (Publishers Weekly's 'Best ten books of 2010'). In 2016 his book 'The Faceless Ghost' was nominated for the prestigious Eisner Book Awards, and has already received a medal in the 2016 'Independent Publisher Book Awards'. Also in 2016, his book Secrets of the Ninja won an International Manga Award from the Japanese government - he is the first British person to receive this award.
Chie Kutsuwada is the respected manga artist of Shakespeare's As You Like It and other works. She has lectured and taught manga workshops around Britain at such venues as Victoria & Albert Museum and the British Library. She lives in the U.K.

Edition details

• Publisher: Kodansha International
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 4770031203
• ISBN 13: 9784770031204
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144
• Illustrator: Kutsuwada Chie