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

A good book, with some caveats and a few flaws.Firstly, I'd like to address my first grievance, and that is the editing job. The book has some awkward misspellings and bad grammar at times. This can be overlooked, but considering the serious nature of the topic and the dignified and artistic style that I've come to love from Sean and William Wilson's renditions of these samurai classics (I have also read the manga edition of Go Rin No Sho, the Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi), the misspelling is annoying, and disrupts the flow.Secondly, the book is shockingly violent. This is both a good thing and a bad thing in my personal opinion. It is intriguing, but also is not for the weak of stomach, and for those who have very romanticized opinions about samurai, like I tend to have, prepare for those to get shattered a little bit, as some of the stories seem to champion things of questionable ethics if looked at from a modern perspective, like(SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER)cutting someone's head off for peeing off the side of a boat, then ordering the boatman to bury the body, and then killing the boatman. Not very honorable.Overall, a good reading experience, especially with some nice traditional Japanese music (I recommend Takeo Izumi's traditional samurai zen music) and a pot of Gyokoro tea, if you're into that sort of thing.

I have been involved in numerous martial arts (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate-Do, Kenjutsu, Wakizashi-jutsu, Tanto-jutsu) for more than 60 years, both as a student and instructor. I have also been fortunate to have read and reviewed many books on the philosophical foundation of these combat systems. Those books include The Art of War, The book of Five Rings, Bushido, The Soul of Japan and this volume Hagakure: The code of the Samurai. This is the first Graphic art novel (Manga) of Hagakure I have read. The fantastic illustrations along with the stories really makes this book come alive.This text is organized into 5 chapters. The first chapter introduces the subject of "The way of the Samurai." The second covers the importance of loyalty. The third deals with the topic of revenge. The fourth explains the role Kaishaku and Seppuku plays in the life of the Samurai. The final chapter emphasizes the vital trait of sincerity and how it applies to the code of the Samurai. Each chapter the master tells a story related to each theme. Do not pass up the Afterword section because it summarizes some of the points made in this book.In conclusion, even if you have read the original book of Hagakure, you may also want to check out this graphic novel version because it clarifies some of the important Samurai principles. This book was a great read.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Soul: An old warrior's poetic tribute)

A Review of Hagakure The Code of the Samurai: The Manga EditionFrom the Hagakure by Yamamoto TsuentomoAdapted by Sean Michael WilsonIllustrated by Chie KutsuwadaBased on the translation and with an afterword by William Scott WilsonPublished by Kodansha, 2011US $14.95"After reading books or the like, it is best to burn them or throw them away." Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure.The abstract concepts of philosophy are often difficult to communicate to audiences, if for no other reason because of the ineffectiveness of language. Foreign cultures, translated languages, and philosophies far removed in time further complicate matters. Using a visual component, however, can aid readers in understanding these concepts. Sean Michael Wilson's manga adaptation of William Scott Wilson's translation of Yamamamoto Tsunetomo's Hagakure attempts to present to readers a visually appealing interpretation of the central concepts in bushido. Though useful as an introduction to bushido, the selection of certain items over others, however, presents this work only in partial and limits readers understanding of the entire context, historical, cultural, and philosophical, of the work.Because of the intertwined relationship of the three authors, it is necessary to begin with a few words on each. The original progenitor of the Hagakure is Yamamoto Tsunetomo, an eighteenth century samurai and former retainer of the Nabeshima. When his feudal lord, Nabeshima Mitsushige, died in 1700, Yamamoto was unable to follow his lord in death through suicide due to both the proclamations of the Tokugawa Bakufu and Nabeshima Mitsushige's own wishes. As an alternative, Yamamoto entered the Zen priesthood. In 1710, he received visits from a young samurai seeking to hear his wisdom Tashiro Tsuramoto who later recorded Yamamoto's words of wisdom. Yamamoto shared his concerns for and observations of samurai behavior during the eighteenth century. According to his assessments, and much to his vexation, samurai of his day were less interested in serving out their traditional roles as loyal retainers from the class of military elite and more concerned with ostentatious extravagances.William Scott Wilson is one of the most influential translators of the Hagakure. His original translation of the work, published by Kodansha with assistance of a grant from the Japan Foundation, appeared in 1979. Wilson found his way to the Hagakure from his interest in the works of Mishima Yukio. His original translation possessed only a small selection of the original transcriptions of the Hagakure, approximately three hundred of the original thirteen hundred. Of these three hundred, Japanese editors often exclude a number.The final author in the triumvirate is Seam Michael Wilson. Modern readers note Wilson for his efforts in producing graphic novels, especially of important works in literature. One particularly notable title is a manga interpretation of Lafcadio Hearn's Japanese Ghost Stories. To complete his works, Wilson works in conjunction with British, Chinese, and Japanese artists. He also lectures on topics related to manga throughout the United States and Great Britain.This interpretation of the Hagakure presents Yamamoto's advice in a series of anecdotes told during the meetings between Yamamoto and Tashiro. Each of five chapters covers one specific topic from the Hagakure: "The Way of the Samurai," "Loyalty," Revenge," "Kaishaku and Seppuku," and "Sincerity." Each chapter depicts a distinct meeting between Yamamoto and Tashiro, wherein Yamamoto recalls stories from the bygone eras of ideal (according to Yamamoto) samurai behavior to illustrate his points.The manga edition of the Hagakure highlights a few essential lessons that communicate central concepts in bushido. These include humility and selflessness, confidence and resolution, and the importance of proper behavior within social contexts (exempla gratia, using proper manners and not bullying others). What is difficult to extract from the work, especially the manga edition, is that much of the philosophical underpinnings highlighted there originated in Confucianism. Nevertheless, though a work inspired by centuries old Chinese civil philosophy and originally composed nearly three hundred years ago for samurai who did not know the import of proper behavior, these lessons apply just as well to modern readers from a variety of backgrounds.This work, however, is a broad overview of the philosophy of bushido as interpreted by Yamamoto Tsunetomo. Being this, it does lack certain attention to details in the art, especially regarding swordsmanship, sword construction, and military culture. Perhaps the most noticeable discrepancy between this work and historical precedent is the lack of or incorrect details regarding the practice of seppuku. This is ironic, considering the importance Yamamoto Tsunetomo placed on details and understanding the intricacies of samurai life.Though in the manga many breeches of etiquette were solved with the quick cut of the sword, such problem resolutions are impossible in today's world. This, perhaps, makes some elements of bushido (as recounted in this manga) more difficult to maintain. As a result, without immediate consequences, or the ability to enforce immediate consequences, it requires a greater amount and quality of self-discipline and personal courage to be an upstanding person in today's society.Someone of no Consequence

This stripped-down version of Scott Wilson's translation of "Hagakure: The Code of the Samurai" is entertaining and, for someone who would like a not-too-intense intro to the real thing, is pretty good. However, as with most attempts to simplify an original product, it doesn't quite make it. Mr. Wilson's afterward is polite and manages to say little about his original effort(s). So, would I recommend this to a friend? I might, especially if I knew that the person was interested in getting a kind of general overview of the material and wasn't interested in studying it in depth.

The product was delivered as promised and in very good condition. The book itself is rather dark and exposes the underside of the Samurai culture.

This tells about the traditions and customs of the Samurai. How boys as young as 5 were trained to behead their enemies. It speaks of revenge, honor, ritual suicide. I've learned quickly that the Samurai were most likely sociopaths, which made them so fearsome in battle!

wonderful :)

I am extremely dissappointed in the so-called translation of this version of Hagakure. There is very little information available to the English speaking public about Bushido, and when I first saw this book, I was excited to have something that might explain important aspects of ancient Japanese culture in an easy-to-read manga format. I read it, and thought that ancient Japanese culture must have been not only extremely violent, but also irrational. Then someone who I work with read the Japanese, original version of Hagakure. We compared aspects of the two books. The tennets, the philosophy were totally different. Also, some of the points might be the same, but they are written in a way that is biased towards a violence-loving audience. It is also very hard to understand WHY some of the stories were in the book in the first place; the headings are disorderly. All in all, very dissappointed with this book. I love good manga and good books - this an alright manga, but it is not Hagakure, and it was definitely not written by Mr. Tsunetomo several hundred years ago. They should have released it under a different title, but the dead cannot defend themselves. Mr Tsunetomo is probably rolling in his tomb.

I'm not a fan of Manga at all, mainly because I find the stories themselves are simply childish, unsophisticated and predictable. This publication doesn't suffer from these shortfalls. 'Hagakure' is a prescription, in the form of sayings and anecdotes, of how a Samurai should conduct himself, foster appropriate ideals and thoughts and generally live his life. But since it was written by Yamaoto Tsunetomo several hundred years ago in a culture very different from the Western world, some of the idea are at best arcane and at worst...well I'll let you judge that. As a consequence, Hagakure can be very difficult to understand, obscure and not much fun to read-I know, I've tried a few times. However this Manga version really makes it easier to follow. Its premise is of a young Samurai who comes to the house of Tsunemoto in order to learn about the way of the Samurai. Each idea on topics such as loyalty, revenge etc are then literally illustrated as short stories-a great way to read and understand and since the original contents of Hagakure are meaningful and at times profound, this manga doesn't suffer the shortfall with which I started this review. Its well drawn, printed on quality paper and has a nice glossy soft cover which make it a pleasure to handle.Highly recommended, especially if you've struggled with the original version of Hagakure.

This manual offer a lighthearted abd direct way of presenting the matter of the samurai. Still not sure if i like it or not.