Japanese Fighting Heroes

Japanese mythology is filled with stories of larger-than-life characters that shaped thelandscape of Japan. They are the folk heroes who slayed monsters, fought in epic battles andreflected the most complicated emotions of the people who created them.Through a mix of essays, short stories and anecdotes, Japanese Fighting Heroes follows thelives of samurai, warriors, outliers and iconoclasts who forged their own paths.Legendary fighters like the demon-killing Minamoto no Yorimitsu, philosophising samuraiMiyamoto Musashi, and the One-Eyed Dragon Date Masamune.Creative heroes like the father of Japanese short stories Ryunosuke Akutagawa, the immortalpoet Ono no Komachi, the hilarious Sei Shonagon and her insight into human nature.Trailblazers who broke down barriers like the feminist Hiratsuka Raicho, the statesmanFukuzawa Yukichi, the photographic genius Hiroshi Hamaya.These Japanese folk heroes led fascinating lives that provide insight into our own through theprinciples and practices they lived by. They struggled with universal ideals of honour, duty,courage and kindness, helping them transcend their culture.Whether you’re looking to learn about Japanese history, fall down a philosophy rabbit hole orpick up new mental health habits, these heroes can teach us timeless lessons.Japanese Fighting Heroes captures the essence of what it means to be human in any culture.