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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C. H.
Cuba, US
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Great value for the price, highly recommend
Color: Dogwood & Calming, Size: Medium
Our dog loves these and chews them down to nothing. They are a great value for the money and the use your dog gets out of them. The size is just right for our doberdor.
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Our dog loves it but it wasn’t durable enough to last
Color: Dogwood Jack, Size: Large, Color: Dogwood Jack, Size: Large
Our lab took to it as soon as we gave it to her. Perfect size for our 80 lb yellow lab. However, now that it’s in about 10 days, she’s able to break off chunks from this bone that are dime size or larger, and we have to throw it away
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Matthew Anderson
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
No problems after a year and a half
Color: Dogwood & Calming, Size: Medium
Have been regularly buying these for my corgi for about a year and a half. The 2 pack lasts about a month or 2 each time. Pieces break off in small enough pieces that they safely pass through his digestive system. He gnaws each one down to about 1/4 the original size before we take it away and give him a new one. He continues to have regular bowel movements and has a healthy appetite so I can’t imagine any problems arising after so long. I have tried other alternatives and every other similar chew breaks off in larger pieces and didn’t feel comfortable letting him chew/eat them. I noticed there are a few 1 star reviews saying their dogs got sick off these but after a year and a half I have had 0 issues with this product. I guess it depends on the dog and how big of pieces they are swallowing. My dog ingests pieces about the size of a grain of rice so just pay attention and you should be fine.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2026
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terlynn4
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Long lasting and safer alternative to sticks
Color: Dogwood & Calming, Size: Medium
These are great, very durable, and have lasted a very long time. Much safer for my dogs than the random sticks they find in the yard. They do get shorter with chewing eventually, but they don't break off in little chunks like I've seen with some nylon chews, and they don't splinter like wood. Medium size works well for both my 16 lb Cavalier and my 60 lb Pyrenees/Golden mix. They're both moderate-to-aggressive chewers, though size obviously affects how much damage they can do. I wish you could buy the hemp chew separately because that one is very much a favorite in my house, so after 2 years and 2 purchases, I have barely any left of the remaining hemp chew, but still 2 of the dogwood chews that neither dog is as interested in anymore. I'd love to buy a couple more of just the hemp one.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2026
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Shannon Brace
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Your dog will thank you.
Color: Dogwood & Fresh Breath, Size: Large
My dogs loves to chew on these. They make a small mess but not as bad as other chews. They are food for keeping teeth clean.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2026

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