Welcome to the samurai action blog. The samurai films in Japan are like the Western film of the United States. Both were once very popular, but not as much now. Both themes pop up every so often bringing up the hopes for some sort of revival, but that has not yet happened. In 2010, I published a book, titled, Sword of the Undead, which re-told Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula, with a samurai twist. (Click here for excerpt)







Monday, October 18, 2010

Mongolian Invasions of Japan

(1274 and 1281) Japan, having refused to become a tribute state under the Mongolian Empire, was ordered to be invaded by Khubilai Khan. In 1274, the Mongolians quickly overran two lightly defended small islands, and landed on Kyushu. They held the upperhand for most of the day, but at night, retreated back to their ships, thinking that the Japanese would be reinforced and thus, have the advantage in night fighting. A typhoon hit and many of the invading ships sunk. In addition, the Japanese counter attacked with smaller ships, setting the larger Mongolian ships on fire and also invading other ships for close hand to hand combat, in which the Japanese had the advantage.
In 1281, the Mongolians invaded with a larger force with two waves. The first wave came from Korea, and found that the Japanese had worked on the fortifications. The first wave was boxed in at a small island. When the second wave arrived, they chose another landing point, and the Japanese fought them to a standstill for five weeks. At that point, a typhoon hit and sunk most of the Mongolian ships. Those Mongolians who didn’t drown reached land were eventually worn down by the Japanese in subsequent land battles.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Kane Kosugi

Kane Kosugi is the son of Sho Kosugi who was a cross over martial arts action movie star in the United States.  Moving to Japan as a teen-ager, he continued in his father's footsteps and is a martial artist and action movie star in Japan.  He has had supporting roles in United States productions, such as Rush Hour III, and DOA. 

Here is a clip from DOA:

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Sword Catching

They always show it in the movies, but I just came across a video which shows a real life demonstration.  Maybe it's so old because no one would dare do this anymore, except for someone featured on Stan Lee's Superheroes.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Siege of Osaka Castle

(1614 - 1615)  Since the Battle of Sekigahara, many clans on the losing side held grudges against the Tokugawas.  Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was now retired, but still controlling the government through his son, and Hideyoshi’s son engaged in a feud.  As news of the rift grew, many clans who opposed the Tokugawas came to the aid of Hideyoshi’s son, Hideyori.  Several minor battles ensued, but Tokugawa finally trapped Hideyori and his followers inside the castle.  Tokugawa, then had his forces’ cannons aimed at the residence of Hideyori’s mother, who happened to be Tokugawa’s niece.   A truce was signed, but soon afterward, Tokugawa had the moats covered, and stated that any new attempts of fortifying the castle would be considered breaking the truce.  In September, 1615, skirmishes broke out again.  Hideyori had once force in front of the castle, one that flanked Ieyasu, and one inside the castle.  However, Ieyasu’s forces got close enough to bombard the castle using the cannons, and when they got inside, they saw that Hideyori had committed seppuku.  

Monday, October 11, 2010

Real Samurai Photos

These are some photos of samurai from the end of the Edo period transitioning into the Meiji restoration.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Sonny Chiba

Sonny Chiba is well known in Japan as an action star actor, and also as a movie fight choreographer.  In Japan, two of his most memorable roles are as Yagyu Jubei and as Hattori Hanzo.  The Hattori Hanzo character got an American introduction in the movie, Kill Bill.  Chiba's name also got revived as he experienced popularity here as the star of the 1970 movies of  the Street Fighter movies.

Here is Sonny Chiba, along with regular co-stars Etsuko Shiomi and Hiroyuki Sanada in a scene from the film, Shogun's Samurai

Monday, October 4, 2010

Yagyu Jubei and the eye

In pop fiction, Yagyu Jubei is usually depicted as being blind in one eye.  And many people believe this is true for him in real life.  And maybe he did at some point lose the use of one eye.  Howver, there is one print of him that exists, and that print portrays him having two eyes, so the debate continues.

That said, the origin is usually attributed to his father accidentally blinding him during a sparring session using real swords.  In my novella, it happens resulting from a duel with Kageura.  In short, there are as many different variations of the origin as there are fictionalized accounts of Jubei.

Here is one from an anime. The end of the clip has a summary of other historical samurais who have become legends.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

I'm Sorry

I'm sorry I haven't been postingnew posts.  I wil try to do so more regularly from this point forward.  It has been hectic with the book promotion. Last week I was in West Hollywood, California at a book fair.

Here is a photo of me with fellow author, Sara Beacham, author of Miranda and the Tiger's Eye.