The story of the forty-seven samurai is a well-known tale not only in Japan but also around the world. There are many different versions but the plot always revolves around a group of warriors carrying out a vendetta in order to get revenge on the man they hold responsible for the death of their lord. In this book, John A. Tucker, Professor of History at East Carolina University, provides a very detailed account of the historical development of the story and discusses its cultural significance.
Books about samurai tend to fall into one of two categories. On the one hand, there are popular accounts that are easy to read but which tend to be rather superficial and reinforce stereotypical images. On the other hand, there are academic works that, while presenting deeper insights based on original research, are more difficult to read. This book definitely falls into the latter category. It is a work of outstanding scholarship but one that would be a challenge for anyone who is not a specialist in Japanese history.
