Samurai: Myth Meets History

Thanks to movies like The Last Samurai and anime series like Rurouni Kenshin, almost everyone knows a little about these warriors. But what about the true samurai?

This class is mostly lecture-based but will start with a discussion of what learners think are myths about the samurai. I will then take learners through a PowerPoint slide presentation with images/photos covering the true history of the samurai, how they lived, fought, and died. Stories of famous actual samurai in Japanese history and what they did, as well as some popular myths surrounding them that made them legendary, will be told as part of the class. Learners are encouraged to ask questions throughout. 

No previous experience or knowledge of Japanese history, culture, etc. required.