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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Freak77Showisnormal
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
It was the perfect suit for our big day!
Size: X-Small, Color: Purple, Size: X-Small, Color: Purple
Purple size xs. He's 5'9" 145-150lbs. Very impressed with this suit. The color and pattern is awesome. The fit was good. I would say this suit runs large. Usually he wears a Medium in everything but ordered an XS and it fit very well. The pants were long we had to get those hemmed. There was a few stray strings by the end of the night in areas of the suit. But overall good quality. And for a great price.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2025
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Mabel D.
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 3
We were excited and I wanted to like it but...
Size: X-Small, Color: Black, Size: X-Small, Color: Black
We ordered this for Prom and it was supposed to be a size small, which was available for Prime ordering, but had to settle for xsmall. The pants, fortunately fit well and just need to be hemmed, the vest is great and the jacket is snug. My son has broad shoulders and I was hesitant to buy the xsmall, but it does fit just right. The only thing he would need to do is unbutton the jacket while he is dancing and maybe take it off while seated and eating dinner before prom. The material is surprisingly nice and has weight to it. I was relieved it isn't flimsy. The overall look on my son is smooth and we love the pattern and the material has shine to it. I was not happy that right out of the package, the button to the jacket could potentially fall off during because it doesn't look securely sewed in. The side of the right side of the jacket has thread already coming apart. And I found a little snag in a different location. I'm really not happy about that. I posted photos so you can see what I mean. We were excited about this suit, but it's going back. The company needs to do better with quality control.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2023
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Jarrett
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Very Nice Fit!
Size: X-Large, Color: Black
Excellent quality and perfect fit! I used thr recommended size chart and it was just right. The design pattern in the suit gives it a very nice look. I'd order from Kudoro again!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2026
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Tammie
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice suite
Color: Black&red, Size: Small, Color: Black&red, Size: Small
Delivery was on time. Suit fit perfect I bought it for my son 8th grade dance. It was worth the money and quality was good
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Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2026
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leslie moore
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Does run big
Color: Black 02, Size: Small, Color: Black 02, Size: Small
Very nice suit but it does run big and I had to get it tailored! I really should have purchased the Xtra small for him!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2026

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