by Christopher M. Clarke (Author)
"Modern-day Samurai" tells the story of a modern sword master, Dr. Kotaka Sadao (1933-2013), who learned from one of the last true samurai, a member of the famous Shinsengumi of the 1860s. The book relates the life of Dr. Kotaka, his numerous and remarkable exploits as a swordsman, the history of his style going back for hundreds of years, and story of the turbulent times during which his teacher learned and actually utilized this style of swordsmanship. Full of wit and wisdom, the book is heavily illustrated with maps, charts, and many never-before-published photos. Extensively documented, it also provides a complete bibliography for those wanting to learn more about Kendo or Japanese history. A must read for anyone interested in the Japanese martial arts, the Meiji Restoration, or the history of the Shinsengumi or the samurai.