CompleteMartialArts.com - The 47 Ronin: A Story of Samurai Loyalty and Courage
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List Price: $18.95
Our Price: $15.16
Your Save: $ 3.79 ( 20% )
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Pomegranate Communications
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 952.025088355
EAN: 9780764932090
ISBN: 0764932098
Label: Pomegranate Communications
Manufacturer: Pomegranate Communications
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 79
Publication Date: 2005-02
Publisher: Pomegranate Communications
Studio: Pomegranate Communications
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Editorial Reviews:
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Here is an exciting true tale of the famous vendetta of the 47 Ronin, the samurai left masterless after their leader, Asano Naganori, was forced to commit seppuku (suicide) by the court official Kira. For two years the men plotted to avenge Asano's death; with cunning and bravery they succeeded, killing sixteen of Kira's men; wounding twenty two, including his grandson; and cutting off Kira's head and carrying it to their lord's grave. The Ronin surrendered and subsequently committed seppuku; they are buried side by side near their master's tomb, in what is now Tokyo. Naturally, news of such vengeance and martyrdom spread far and wide, with the Ronin becoming national heroes. They were so popular that their saga inspired a series of kabuki plays, the most successful being Chushingura (Treasury of Loyal Retainers). Many artists produced woodblock prints that portrayed the original events, scenes from the kabuki plays, or the actors. Barry Till, curator of Asian Art at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and a longtime contributor of articles to Arts of Asia magazine, summarizes the play; prints from the Gallery's collection illustrate the intricate story. As spellbinding as any modern movie, The 47 Ronin will fascinate with its story and appeal with its beautiful artwork.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: IF YOU NEED PICTURES, CHOOSE THIS VERSION
Comment: This book is, for all intents and purposes, an art museum book, the kind you get in the little shop on your way out after having seen the originals. As reviewers have mentioned before it is not "authentic" as the paintings are of the dramatic versions of the story, like a 50's painting of John Wayne at the Alamo rather than of the real Davy Crocket in the actual way he was dressed. However, it does contain a brief telling of the story of the 47 Ronin that is a great way to share it with others. I'm still amazed that this story has not caught on with English speaking audiences. Unless you are interested in some of the art, you really want to hear the story from John Allyn The 47 Ronin Story. This is a story that defines loyalty and honor and you are incomplete as a person until you have read it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Woodblocks of the 47 Ronin
Comment: This book is about the 47 Ronin but does not tell their story in detail. It is about the artwork, in this case woodblocks, based on the scenes from the plays which were made to show the tale of the 47 Ronin. So after the book gives you a very, very short version of the life of a samurai, the tale of the 47 Ronin, and the plays made on it, which gives you a point of reference to work with, you then get to see the artwork based on the plays. Certain scenes and characters have been captured by the artists' skills and woodcraft.
In other words, if you are looking for the complete, well written and detailed story of the 47 Ronin, look someplace else. If you are looking for something related to them, as in how they were seen in the eyes of history and immortalized in plays and artwork, this is the book for you.
Customer Rating:
Summary: okay, but not definitive
Comment: The 47 Ronin is a truly great story. I keep looking for an outstanding illustrated version. I was hoping this was it, but I was a little disappointed. It uses authentic period images, but they are images of kabuki performances of the story, not images of the story itself. The book I wanted is still an outstanding niche...
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