The Samurai Banner: A Book Review and Free Ebook PDF Download Link
Download free ebook pdf files The Samurai Banner
Do you love historical fiction novels set in feudal Japan? Do you want to learn more about the culture, politics, and warfare of the samurai era? Do you enjoy reading epic stories of loyalty, honor, and betrayal? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should read The Samurai Banner by Yasushi Inoue. And the best part is, you can download free ebook pdf files of this masterpiece online. In this article, I will tell you what The Samurai Banner is about, why you should read it, how to download it for free, and how it compares to other famous samurai novels. Let's get started!
Download free ebook pdf files The Samurai Banner
Introduction
What is The Samurai Banner?
The Samurai Banner is a historical novel by Yasushi Inoue, one of the most acclaimed and prolific Japanese writers of the 20th century. It was first published in 1959 and has been translated into several languages. The novel is based on the life and exploits of Kansuke Yamamoto, a legendary strategist and warrior who served under Takeda Shingen, one of the most powerful warlords of the Sengoku period (1467-1600). The novel follows Kansuke's rise from a humble peasant to a trusted advisor and general of Takeda's army, as he helps him conquer his rivals and expand his domain. Along the way, he faces many challenges and conflicts, both on and off the battlefield, such as his love for Princess Yuu, Takeda's concubine, his rivalry with Nobushige Sanada, Takeda's younger brother, and his vision of a unified Japan under Takeda's rule.
Why should you read The Samurai Banner?
The Samurai Banner is not only a thrilling and captivating historical novel, but also a rich and authentic portrayal of the samurai culture and mentality. Inoue did extensive research on the history and geography of the Sengoku period, as well as the military tactics and strategies of the samurai. He also used many historical sources and documents to recreate the dialogue and personality of the characters. As a result, the novel is full of historical accuracy and realism, while also being engaging and entertaining. You will feel like you are witnessing the events firsthand, as you follow Kansuke's adventures and dilemmas. You will also learn a lot about the values, beliefs, and codes of conduct of the samurai, such as bushido (the way of the warrior), loyalty, honor, duty, courage, wisdom, and sacrifice. You will also see how these ideals clashed with the realities and complexities of war and politics.
How to download free ebook pdf files of The Samurai Banner?
If you are interested in reading The Samurai Banner, you will be happy to know that you can download free ebook pdf files online. There are many websites that offer free ebooks in various formats and languages. However, not all of them are reliable or legal. Some may contain viruses or malware that can harm your device or compromise your privacy. Some may also violate the copyright laws or terms of service of the authors or publishers. Therefore, you should be careful and selective when choosing where to download free ebooks from. Here are some tips to help you find and download free ebook pdf files of The Samurai Banner safely and legally:
Use reputable and trustworthy websites that have a good reputation and reviews from other users. Some examples are Project Gutenberg, Open Library, Internet Archive, and ManyBooks.
Check the availability and quality of the ebook before downloading it. Some websites may not have the ebook you are looking for, or may have a poor or incomplete version of it. You can use the preview or sample feature to see if the ebook is what you want.
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By following these tips, you should be able to download free ebook pdf files of The Samurai Banner without any hassle or risk. Enjoy reading!
Review of The Samurai Banner
The plot of The Samurai Banner
The plot of The Samurai Banner is divided into four parts, each covering a different stage of Kansuke's life and career. The first part introduces Kansuke as a young peasant who dreams of becoming a samurai. He travels to Kai province, where he meets Takeda Shingen, who is impressed by his intelligence and ambition. He hires him as a foot soldier and gives him the name Kansuke. Kansuke quickly proves his worth by devising a plan to defeat Uesugi Kenshin, Takeda's rival in Echigo province. He also falls in love with Princess Yuu, Takeda's concubine, who is also attracted to him.
The second part focuses on Kansuke's role as a strategist and general in Takeda's army. He helps Takeda conquer Shinano province, where he faces his old friend Harunobu Murakami, who has become an enemy lord. He also clashes with Nobushige Sanada, Takeda's younger brother, who resents his influence and authority. Kansuke becomes more confident and arrogant, but also more loyal and devoted to Takeda.
The third part depicts Kansuke's decline and downfall. He suffers a serious injury in a battle against Oda Nobunaga, which leaves him blind in one eye and lame in one leg. He also loses Princess Yuu, who is killed by Nobushige's men in a plot to frame him for treason. He becomes depressed and bitter, but still remains faithful to Takeda.
The fourth part narrates Kansuke's final act of loyalty and sacrifice. He leads Takeda's army in the famous Battle of Kawanakajima against Uesugi Kenshin, where he uses his brilliant strategy of the "woodpecker tactic" to break through Uesugi's defenses. However, he also knows that this will be his last battle, as he has foreseen his own death in a dream. He charges into the enemy lines with his horse, hoping to die with honor and glory.
The characters of The Samurai Banner
The characters of The Samurai Banner are well-developed and complex, each with their own personality, motivation, and background. They are not stereotypical or one-dimensional, but rather realistic and human. Here are some of the main characters of the novel:
Kansuke Yamamoto: The protagonist of the novel. He is a peasant who becomes a samurai, a strategist, and a general under Takeda Shingen. He is ambitious, intelligent, cunning, brave, loyal, proud, passionate, ruthless, and visionary. He loves Princess Yuu and Takeda Shingen more than anything else.
Takeda Shingen: The lord of Kai province and one of the most powerful warlords of the Sengoku period. He is ambitious, charismatic, generous, courageous, cunning, proud, ambitious, and visionary. He aims to unify Japan under his rule. He respects and trusts Kansuke as his advisor and friend.
Nobushige Sanada: Takeda Shingen's younger brother and rival. He is ambitious, jealous, arrogant, cunning, cruel, and treacherous. He hates Kansuke and Princess Yuu, and plots to overthrow Takeda Shingen.
Uesugi Kenshin: The lord of Echigo province and Takeda Shingen's archenemy. He is a devout Buddhist and a brilliant warrior. He is honorable, noble, generous, courageous, wise, and compassionate. He respects Takeda Shingen and Kansuke as worthy opponents.
Harunobu Murakami: Kansuke's old friend and enemy lord. He is loyal, brave, honest, and stubborn. He fights against Takeda Shingen to defend his homeland of Shinano province.
The themes of The Samurai Banner
The Samurai Banner explores many themes that are relevant to the samurai culture and the Sengoku period. Some of these themes are:
The nature of war and peace: The novel shows the brutality, violence, and suffering caused by war, as well as the glory, honor, and excitement of battle. It also shows the contrast between the chaos and turmoil of the Sengoku period and the ideal of a unified and peaceful Japan.
The role of fate and free will: The novel shows how the characters are influenced by their destiny and their choices. Kansuke believes that he has a fate to serve Takeda Shingen and to die in battle. He also makes many decisions that affect his life and the lives of others. The novel also shows how the characters cope with the uncertainty and unpredictability of the future.
The meaning of loyalty and betrayal: The novel shows the importance of loyalty and betrayal in the samurai culture. Loyalty is seen as a virtue and a duty, while betrayal is seen as a sin and a disgrace. The novel also shows the complexity and ambiguity of loyalty and betrayal, as some characters have conflicting loyalties or betray for different reasons.
The value of honor and sacrifice: The novel shows the high regard for honor and sacrifice in the samurai culture. Honor is seen as a source of pride and dignity, while sacrifice is seen as a way of expressing devotion and courage. The novel also shows the cost and consequence of honor and sacrifice, as some characters lose or gain something by following or breaking their code of honor.
The style of The Samurai Banner
The style of The Samurai Banner is simple, clear, and elegant. Inoue uses short sentences, simple words, and direct dialogue to convey his message. He also uses vivid descriptions, metaphors, and symbols to create imagery and atmosphere. He avoids unnecessary details or explanations, but rather lets the reader infer or imagine them. He also uses historical references, quotes, and documents to add authenticity and realism to his story. He also uses different perspectives, flashbacks, foreshadowing, and suspense to create interest and tension in his plot.
Comparison of The Samurai Banner with other samurai novels
Shogun by James Clavell
Shogun is a historical novel by James Clavell, published in 1975. It is set in 1600, at the end of the Sengoku period. It tells the story of John Blackthorne, an English sailor who becomes involved in the political intrigue and warfare between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Ishida Mitsunari for control of Japan. It also tells the story of his love affair with Mariko Toda, a Christian samurai woman who is married to one of Ieyasu's allies.
Shogun is similar to The Samurai Banner in that it is a historical fiction novel set in feudal Japan that depicts the culture, politics, and warfare of the samurai era. It is also similar in that it features historical figures such as Tokugawa Ieyasu, Ishida Mitsunari, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, William Adams (the real-life inspiration for John Blackthorne), etc.
Shogun is different from The Samurai Banner in that it is written from a Western perspective rather than a Japanese one. It also focuses more on the clash between Eastern and Western cultures rather than on the internal conflicts within Japan. It also has more romance, adventure, humor, and fantasy elements than The Samurai Banner.
Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa
Musashi is a historical novel by Eiji Yoshikawa, published in 1935. It is based on the life and legend of Miyamoto Musashi, the most famous and skilled samurai and swordsman of Japan. It follows his journey from a young and reckless warrior to a mature and enlightened master of the sword. Along the way, he encounters many enemies, friends, lovers, and mentors, such as Sasaki Kojiro, Otsu, Matahachi, Takuan, Yagyu Munenori, etc.
Musashi is similar to The Samurai Banner in that it is a historical fiction novel based on the life and exploits of a legendary samurai figure. It is also similar in that it shows the development and transformation of the protagonist as he faces many challenges and conflicts. It also shows the values, beliefs, and codes of conduct of the samurai culture.
Musashi is different from The Samurai Banner in that it is more focused on the personal and spiritual growth of the protagonist rather than on the political and military aspects of the Sengoku period. It also has more philosophical, psychological, and artistic elements than The Samurai Banner.
Taiko by Eiji Yoshikawa
Taiko is a historical novel by Eiji Yoshikawa, published in 1941. It is based on the life and achievements of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the three unifiers of Japan along with Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu. It follows his rise from a lowly peasant to a powerful warlord who almost conquered all of Japan. Along the way, he faces many enemies, allies, rivals, and friends, such as Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Akechi Mitsuhide, Nene, Chacha, etc.
Taiko is similar to The Samurai Banner in that it is a historical fiction novel based on the life and exploits of a famous samurai figure. It is also similar in that it depicts the culture, politics, and warfare of the Sengoku period. It also shows the ambition, intelligence, cunning, courage, loyalty, and vision of the protagonist.
Taiko is different from The Samurai Banner in that it is more focused on the political and military aspects of the Sengoku period rather than on the personal and emotional aspects of the protagonist. It also has more humor, drama, and tragedy elements than The Samurai Banner.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, The Samurai Banner by Yasushi Inoue is a historical fiction novel that covers the topic of "Download free ebook pdf files The Samurai Banner". It tells the story of Kansuke Yamamoto, a peasant who becomes a samurai, a strategist, and a general under Takeda Shingen. It shows his life and career as he helps Takeda conquer his rivals and expand his domain. It also shows his love for Princess Yuu and his loyalty to Takeda. It also portrays the culture, politics, and warfare of the samurai era. It also compares The Samurai Banner with other famous samurai novels such as Shogun by James Clavell, Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa, and Taiko by Eiji Yoshikawa.
Call to action
If you are interested in reading The Samurai Banner by Yasushi Inoue, you can download free ebook pdf files online from reputable and trustworthy websites. You will enjoy reading this masterpiece of historical fiction that will transport you to feudal Japan and make you witness the epic story of Kansuke Yamamoto and Takeda Shingen. You will also learn a lot about the samurai culture and mentality that shaped Japan's history and identity. Don't miss this opportunity to read one of the best samurai novels ever written!
FAQs
Q: When was The Samurai Banner first published?
A: The Samurai Banner was first published in 1959 in Japan.
Q: Who was Yasushi Inoue?
A: Yasushi Inoue was one of the most acclaimed and prolific Japanese writers of the 20th century. He wrote over 50 novels and 150 short stories on various genres and topics.
Q: Who was Kansuke Yamamoto?
A: Kansuke Yamamoto was a legendary strategist and warrior who served under Takeda Shingen. He was also known as Haruyuki or Nokizaru (the flying monkey).
Q: Who was Takeda Shingen?
powerful warlords of the Sengoku period. He was also known as the Tiger of Kai or the Mountain King.
Q: What was the Battle of Kawanakajima?
A: The Battle of Kawanakajima was one of the most famous and fierce battles of the Sengoku period. It was fought between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, who were both considered to be the best generals of their time. It was fought five times between 1553 and 1564.
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