Tale of Ronin

The Bakufu-Han System: Feudal Government Structure in Edo Period Japan

When the last of Japan’s three great unifiers, Tokugawa Ieyasu, came to power, he had a problem. His predecessors, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, had both failed to establish a lasting regime that could endure after their deaths. In 1603, Ieyasu created the Edo bakufu—also known as the Tokugawa Shogunate—to legitimize his rule. Thus the …

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Tale of Ronin Game Features

We’re thrilled to unveil our latest Game Features video for Tale of Ronin! In this new preview, we’re taking you deeper into the heart of our game and giving you a taste of what’s in store for all the aspiring Ronin out there. Get ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of feudal Japan, …

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Taira no Masakado: Japan’s Most Famous Vengeful Ghost

Vengeful ghosts are a staple of Japanese folklore. The most famous and the most culturally-relevant today is the onryo, a vicious ghost that indiscriminately curses those unfortunate enough to be near the spirit or the subject of its revenge. And among onryo, the most famous is probably the ancient samurai known as Taira no Masakado. …

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Artwork depicting a humanoid, but decaying and undead figure standing in an unnatural stance.

Magatsuhi no Kami: The Gods of Disaster

Magatsuhi-no-Kami are kami of Japan’s native Shinto belief system. Like other powerful kami, they are treated as a mighty, deity-like force that can directly influence the world on a massive scale. However, Magatsuhi-no-Kami stand out from the crowd by being the kami of disasters. According to the Shinto creation myth, the Magatsuhi-no-Kami—or rather, Yasomagatsuhi-no-Kami, translated …

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A digital ink-style artwork of a cherry blossom tree, with a thick trunk and branches leading to bright pink sakura flowers.

Cherry Blossom Symbolism in Japanese Culture

In Japan, the arrival of spring brings forth an enchanting spectacle that captivates both locals and visitors alike—the blooming of cherry blossoms. These delicate flowers, known as “sakura,” hold a deep-rooted significance in Japanese culture and history. They bloom for only a short time, often for as little as 14 days. During that period, the …

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An inkstyle digital artwork of a samurai mediating with a peaceful face on the left. On the upper right screen it shows two samurai fighting, with one swinging their sword in a successful hit with red ink symbolizing a splash of blood.

The Mind of a Samurai

Samurai were required to be physically strong to perform effectively in combat. However, mental strength was just as essential as physical strength. Meditation and zen were integral parts of the samurai lifestyle designed to help warriors develop mental fortitude. In Tale of Ronin, this focus on the mind of a samurai is reflected in the …

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An ink-style drawing of Kabuki and Kabukimono, gangs of flamboyantly dressed samurai, from Edo period Japan. The art depicts three samurai standing with a third as a larger visage hanging in the air.

Kabuki and Kabukimono: The Violent Birth of an Art Form

Kabuki is one of Japan’s most iconic forms of traditional performance art. It combines music, dance, and theater with elaborate costumes and sets. Today, kabuki is internationally acclaimed, but it originated as the art of the people during the 1600s. Between the late Warring States period and the early Edo Period, the kabukimono movement arose …

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