SKU: 18806939596

The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori

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The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo TakamoriThe dramatic arc of Saigo Takamori's life, from his humble origins as a lowly samurai, to national leadership, to his death as a rebel leader, has captivated generations of Japanese readers and now Americans as well his life is the inspiration for a major Hollywood film, The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. In this vibrant new biography, Mark Ravina, professor of history and Director of East Asian Studies at Emory University,

The dramatic arc of Saigo Takamori's life, from his humble origins as a lowly samurai, to national leadership, to his death as a rebel leader, has captivated generations of Japanese readers and now Americans as well - his life is the inspiration for a major Hollywood film, The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. In this vibrant new biography, Mark Ravina, professor of history and Director of East Asian Studies at Emory University, explores the facts behind Hollywood storytelling and Japanese legends, and explains the passion and poignancy of Saigo's life. Known both for his scholarly research and his appearances on The History Channel, Ravina recreates the world in which Saigo lived and died, the last days of the samurai.

The Last Samurai traces Saigo's life from his early days as a tax clerk in far southwestern Japan, through his rise to national prominence as a fierce imperial loyalist. Saigo was twice exiled for his political activities -- sent to Japan's remote southwestern islands where he fully expected to die. But exile only increased his reputation for loyalty, and in 1864 he was brought back to the capital to help his lord fight for the restoration of the emperor. In 1868, Saigo commanded his lord's forces in the battles which toppled the shogunate and he became and leader in the emperor Meiji's new government. But Saigo found only anguish in national leadership. He understood the need for a modern conscript army but longed for the days of the traditional warrior.

Saigo hoped to die in service to the emperor. In 1873, he sought appointment as envoy to Korea, where he planned to demand that the Korean king show deference to the Japanese emperor, drawing his sword, if necessary, top defend imperial honor. Denied this chance to show his courage and loyalty, he retreated to his homeland and spent his last years as a schoolteacher, training samurai boys in frugality, honesty, and courage. In 1876, when the government stripped samurai of their swords, Saigo's followers rose in rebellion and Saigo became their reluctant leader. His insurrection became the bloodiest war Japan had seen in centuries, killing over 12,000 men on both sides and nearly bankrupting the new imperial government. The imperial government denounced Saigo as a rebel and a traitor, but their propaganda could not overcome his fame and in 1889, twelve years after his death, the government relented, pardoned Saigo of all crimes, and posthumously restored him to imperial court rank.

In THE LAST SAMURAI, Saigo is as compelling a character as Robert E. Lee was to Americans-a great and noble warrior who followed the dictates of honor and loyalty, even though it meant civil war in a country to which he'd devoted his life. Saigo's life is a fascinating look into Japanese feudal society and a history of a country as it struggled between its long traditions and the dictates of a modern future.



Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 11/24/2003
ISBN: 9780471089704
Pages: 265
Weight: 1.29lbs
Size: 9.36h x 6.26w x 0.96d

Review Citations: Booklist 12/01/2003 pg. 636
Library Journal 12/01/2003 pg. 139
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SKU: 18806939596

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Alexandria, US
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Color: Black
Very comfortable. Solid chair. Lumbar support helps a lot. Posture in this chair is great. Lots of support. Seems like a relatively skinny chair though - I wouldn't imagine it to be comfortable for a larger person.
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New York, US
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Check components for imperfections
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Just finished putting the chair together, and while there were some nice touches (gloves to wear while assembling) and manual very easy to understand, there are more steps than are customary for a basic chair. However, two main gripes are (1) bought Saturday for $129.99, today it is listed for $89.99 (2) out of the box, the mesh back of the chair has a small tear in it. Unsure if it will end up being a long-term issue, but irritating all the same.
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Phoenix, US
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Amazing chair
Color: Black
Going from a regular office chair to this majestic heavenly office chair, my body hasn't felt better. As a person who is rather on the large side (6'2, 175 pounds), so this chair good butt cushioning, adjustable armrest, the adjustable headrest made this purchase an very good one. I move constantly on chairs so when i found out tthis chair can adapt to my position with a few tweaks i instantly fell in love. Considering that I have jumped and stood on the chair quite the number of times and it still is holding its form just speaks to its sturdiness. I dont believe in buying extremely expensive chairs as a high quality one like this has everything you could wish for.
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Yve
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Stylish, Comfortable, and Great Quality
Color: Brown
I am absolutely in love with this chair! The brown leather looks very premium and fits my home office aesthetic perfectly. It was easy to assemble and feels very sturdy. The lumbar support is just right for long working hours, and the rocking feature is a nice bonus. Definitely worth the price!
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Vava
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable and high quality
Color: Brown
This brown leather office chair is a great balance of comfort, style, and functionality. The rich brown tone gives it a classic look that elevates my workspace.The leather feels super smooth and high quality. Very easy to put together. It feels sturdy and well-built, with adjustable height. Size is just right for most offices. I love this chair, definitely an excellent choice.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2026

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