In 1180, the Minamoto clan resumed hostilities with the Taira in what became the first armed conflict of the Gempei War (so-named for the Chinese reading of both clans' names). The war spelled defeat ...

The Japanese sword, often epitomized by the katana, is more than just a weapon. It is a symbol of Japan’s rich cultural history, craftsmanship, and the ideals of the samurai who wielded it. Known for ...

The city of Kumamoto is steeped in the spirit of its samurai past, which many of its citizens point to as a major influence on their hometown to this day. In addition to its famed castle, the city ...

In the breathless opening one-er of Last Samurai Standing, samurai protagonist Shujiro Saga (Junichi Okada, also a producer and action choreographer) cuts through dozens of men as he charges across a ...

Samurai are among the most important people in Japanese culture and history, considering they remain a significant source of inspiration for Japanese artists. Animators have brought samurai history to ...