Code of the samurai: a modern translation of the bushido shoshinshu of taira shigesuke - taira shigesuke

Taira Shigesuke (1639-1740), also known as Daidoji Yuzan, was a samurai and writer of military strategy during Japans Edo period.

He was born into a family of famous warriors and was both a military advisor and prominent teacher of military science.

Thomas Cleary is one of the best known translators of Asian literary works.

He holds a doctorate in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University.

Cleary has translated over 70 works of martial arts philosophy, Buddhism, Taoism and religion including The Art of War , I Ching , and Soul of the Samurai , a collection of classic works on Zen and Bushido.

Alexander Bennett is a professor of Japanese history, martial arts and Budo theory at Kansai University.

He cofounded Kendo World , the first English-language journal dedicated to Kendo.

He holds black belts in several martial disciplines--Kendo Kyoshi, 7th Dan; Iaido, 5th Dan; and Naginata, 5th Dan.

His published works include Japan: The Ultimate Samurai Guide , Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai and Bushido Explained: The Japanese Samurai Code--A New Interpretation for Beginners .

Oscar Ratti (1928-2005) is the co-author of Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere and Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan , and was a frequent contributor to martial arts books and magazines.