Tezuka Osamu has been called the “Father of Manga,” and he’s widely credited with laying down the foundations for the art form. Throughout his life, he created over 700 comics for a wide variety of genres. Dororo was Tezuka’s take on a samurai story. Dark, cinematic, and often disturbing, the series was one of the …
An important part of wandering is knowing when to settle down for the night. When playing as a ronin, you can decide to stop and set up camp for a while at any moment. While in the camp, you can choose from a list of different activities to gain various results. The most important activity …
Tale of Ronin will immerse gamers in the world of a ronin in 1637 Japan. The Edo period has just begun and the great battles of the Warring States period are still in living memory. The Tokugawa regime is propping up specific sects of Buddhism as a political power play. Christianity is persecuted as harshly …
The Battle of Sekigahara was the greatest battle in Japanese history. It took place in the village of Sekigahara, which was located in a mountain valley. There, two coalition forces led by two great daimyo, Ishida Mitsunari and Tokugawa Ieyasu, clashed violently over who would have the right to rule a unified Japan. Ieyasu and …
The Battle of Sekigahara: How Japan’s Greatest Battle Added to the Ronin Problem Read More »
The haiku is one of the most recognizable poetry forms in the world. It consists of seventeen syllables arranged in three lines: five syllables, seven syllables, and five syllables again. Many people, poetry enthusiasts and laypersons alike, know that haiku is a Japanese form of poetry. However, the history and cultural legacy of haiku are …
When thinking of warfare in medieval Japan, the image of the samurai quickly comes to mind. However, the role of the common foot soldier, known as the ashigaru, should not be understated. Ashigaru began as conscripted farmers and rose through the ranks to become the backbone of daimyo lords’ armies in the Warring States period. …
The word ‘samurai’ comes from “saburai,” and it means “to serve” and “to keep watch.” Samurai were warriors who served a lord known as a daimyo and followed the values of Bushido, “the way of the warrior.” This chivalrous code of honor was based on moral principles such as bravery, sacrifice, and honesty. Needless to …
Samurai Movies and the Human Side of the Samurai Read More »
The birth of the Edo period marked a turning point for samurai. After over a century of near-constant warfare in the Warring States period, Japan was united under Tokugawa Ieyasu. His campaign culminated in his triumph at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, a moment that has been called the greatest battle in Japanese history. …
Samurai in the Edo Period: The Beginning of the End Read More »
The term ‘kami’ comes from Shinto, Japan’s oldest belief system. Although Shinto has been classified as a religion by some, it is often treated more as a way of life. Most of Japan continues to practice Shinto beliefs and rituals to this day. And the main belief of Shinto is the worship of kami. In …
The samurai is one of the most iconic figures in Japanese history, but the ronin is one of his only rivals. Ronin, meaning “wave man,” refers to masterless samurai who were no longer retainers serving a daimyo. Although warriors had served daimyo — and lost them — during most of Japanese history, ronin were especially …