Mishimas Sword : Travels in Search of a Samurai Legend; Mishima_s Sword

Travel

Ross, Christopher

Travel Writing

Fourth Estate

Mishima’s Sword: Travels in Search of a Samurai Legend

Literature & Fiction

Harper-perennial

In 1970, the world-famous Japanese writer Yukio Mishima plunged a knife into his belly and was decapitated using his own antique sword. In the decades since, people have asked endless far-ranging questions about this spectacular suicide. Christopher Ross wondered, What on earth happened to Mishima's sword? And so Ross sets off for Tokyo on a journey into the heart of the Mishima legend---the very heart of Japan. It was a country Ross knew well after nearly five years of living there--but nothing could have prepared him for this. While searching for the fabled sword, Ross encounters the rather startling range of those who knew Mishima...a world, or perhaps more accurately a demimonde, of craftsmen and critics, soldiers and swordsmen, boyfriends and biographers (even the man who taught Mishima hara-kiri). The trail Ross follows inspires a travelogue of the most eye-opening--and occasionally bizarre--sort, a window into the real Japan that is never seen by tourists and the occasion for digressions on, among other things, socks and the code of the samurai, nosebleeds and metallurgy... even how to dress for suicide. Mishima's Sword is a dazzling read--the perfect book for all those intrigued by things Japanese, from gangsters to Genji, from manga to Mishima.

Mishima's Sword: Travels in Search of a Samurai Legend

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature

Da Capo Press

On November 25, 1970, the world renowned Japanese writer Yukio Mishima committed seppuku with his own antique sword. Mishima's spectacular suicide has been called many things: a hankering for heroism; a beautiful, perverse drama; a political protest against Japan's emasculated postwar constitution; the epitaph of a mad genius. Part travelogue, part biography, and part philosophical treatise, Mishima's Sword is the story of Christopher Ross's journey to find a sword and maybe an understanding of Mishima's country. The cold trail the author follows inspires a tale of the most engaging-and occasionally bizarre-sort, with glimpses of the real Japan that is not seen by tourists, with digressions on, among other things, bushido and socks, mutineers and Noh ghosts, nosebleeds and metallurgy-and even how to dress for suicide.

Community & Culture

Written in an accessible style and assuming no prior knowledge, the books in this series address the specific needs of students on language cources. Approaching the study of history from an interest in politics and society, each book offers a clear historical narrative and sets its country into a wider European context. It is easy to forget just how distinctive Spain's historical experience has been yet a knowledge of history is particularly important for an understanding of Spain today. Beginning in 1812, the year of Spain's first Constitution, and ending in 1996 with the first victory in a free general election for a democratic Right wing party, this book focuses on political history and takes as its theme the process by which liberal democracy was finally implanted in Spain; a half-century after its definitive triumph in western Europe as a whole.The prologue and ten main chapters - each of which begins with a brief overview of the main contemporary developments in European history - are arranged chronologically. Within chapters the structure is thematic, the emphasis being on understanding major developments, their causes, and the relationships between them. Inserts embedded in the text provide details of key concepts, while `exhibits' - short extracts from contemporary Spanish texts in the original - provide a flavour of the ideas developed.

Spain 1812-1996 (Modern History for Modern Languages) (Volume 2)

History

Europe

Hodder Education Publishers

Written in an accessible style and assuming no prior knowledge, the books in this series address the specific needs of students on language cources. Approaching the study of history from an interest in politics and society, each book offers a clear historical narrative and sets its country into a wider European context. It is easy to forget just how distinctive Spain's historical experience has been yet a knowledge of history is particularly important for an understanding of Spain today. Beginning in 1812, the year of Spain's first Constitution, and ending in 1996 with the first victory in a free general election for a democratic Right wing party, this book focuses on political history and takes as its theme the process by which liberal democracy was finally implanted in Spain; a half-century after its definitive triumph in western Europe as a whole. The prologue and ten main chapters - each of which begins with a brief overview of the main contemporary developments in European history - are arranged chronologically. Within chapters the structure is thematic, the emphasis being on understanding major developments, their causes, and the relationships between them. Inserts embedded in the text provide details of key concepts, while `exhibits' - short extracts from contemporary Spanish texts in the original - provide a flavour of the ideas developed.

Spain 1812-1996 (Modern History for Modern Languages)

Studying Spanish? Spending a year-out in Spain? Or maybe going to work there? Then you'll need this handbook of contemporary Spain and the Spanish language. Revised and expanded, this new edition is packed with essential information on politics, economy and institutions, covering the basics that are taken for granted by most Spaniards. Intended for readers without specialist knowledge in any of the subjects concerned, this is a valuable handbook for English-speaking students of Spanish. Each chapter contains a Spanish/English glossary giving guidance on the use of specialist terms in context. Covering Spanish history, power structures and Spanish society, the handbook provides a vast amount of information, especially geared to students' needs. ""I have no hesitation in recommending (this text), particularly for students of A-level Spanish and above, but also for adults studying Spanish at almost any level."" The Lecturer

Contemporary Spain: A Handbook

History & Criticism

Spain since 1812 is an ideal introduction to the history of Spain. The chapters are arranged chronologically and each begins with an overview of major events and movements in Europe as a whole. Emphasis is placed on understanding major developments, their causes, and the relationships between them. Spanish terms associated with key concepts and figures are introduced and explained throughout the text. Extracts from key Spanish texts, in Spanish and in translation, enable students to see, first hand, the mood of the time. Chapters end with topics for discussion to encourage critical thinking. This new edition has been revised and updated to take account of events since the Socialists' return to power in 2004. It looks at the new government's social reforms, its attempts to end ETA's violence and its response to Catalan demands for further autonomy. Also considered are changes in the country's political climate and external relationships, as well as the crisis facing Spain's economy. Written in an accessible style and assuming no prior knowledge, the books in this series address the specific needs of students on language courses, as well as anyone with an interest in modern history. Approaching the study of history via contemporary politics and society, each book offers a clear historical narrative and sets the country or region concerned in the context of the wider world.

Spain since 1812 (Modern History for Modern Languages)

Americas

Routledge

Contemporary Spain

Contemporary Spain provides an accessible introduction to the politics, economy, institutions media and cinema of contemporary Spain. This fully revised fourth edition includes new material that makes this the most comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date account of the situation in Spain at this juncture Key features include: <ul>
<li>accessible and authoritative background information ideal for the non-specialist language student</li> <li>each chapter contains a Spanish/English glossary giving guidance on the use of specialist terms in context along with further reading</li> <li>ideal starting point for more in-depth study.</li> </ul>
New to this edition: <ul>
<li>coverage brought up-to-date to include the current economic crisis, related austerity measures and social difficulties</li> <li>new section on the changing public perception of the Spanish monarchy and significant new cases of corruption</li> <li>several chapters expanded to include key topics such as the role of the Internet and social media, key economic issues currently facing the country, youth employment and civil discontent</li> <li>‘Spain in the Contemporary World’ thoroughly revised to include a more comprehensive account of the relationship between Spain and the EU and other parts of the world </li> <li>new chapter on ‘The Media and Film’ covering covering the most relevant directors and films in contemporary Spanish cinema.. This chapter also includes a discussion on the regional differences and cultures of the various autonomous communities.</li> <li>Suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter.</li> </ul>
Contemporary Spain is an invaluable resource for all undergraduate students on Hispanic Studies courses. The authoritative background information provides a solid foundation and a springboard for further study.

Richardson, Bill

Sangrador-Vegas, Begoña

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