The legendary samurai of ancient Japan have always been something of a mistery in the West; their complexity and organisation and richness of tradition have been difficult to penetrate. Set against the background of Japan\'s social and political history, the book records the rise and rise of Japan\'s extraordinary warrior class from earliest times to the culmination of their culture, prowess and skills as manifested in the last great battle they were ever to fight - that of Osaka Castle in 1615. This is a lavishly illustrated book by Stephen Turnbull, a former lecturer in East Asian Studies and Theology who now holds the titles of Honorary Lecturer at Leeds, Research Associate at SOAS and Visiting Professor of Japanese Studies at Akita International University. S. R Turnbull has published 75 books and many journal articles.This book is a must have for any connoisseur of the samurai tradition.