The idea of the sword-wielding samurai warriors beholden to a strict ethical code and trained
in deadly martial arts dominates popular conceptions. As early as the late seventeenth century
they were heavily featured in literature art theater and even comedy. This legacy continues
in film and countless renditions of samurai history in anime manga and video games. Much as
they capture the modern imagination the samurai commanded influence over the politics arts
philosophy and religion of their own time and ultimately controlled Japan from the fourteenth
century until their demise in the mid-nineteenth century. On and off the battlefield whether
charging an enemy on horseback or currying favor at the imperial court their story is one of
adventures and intrigues heroics and misdeeds unlikely victories and devastating defeats.
