This book tells the fascinating history of the life of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu — Japan's most famous Shogun.

Since its initial appearance, A.L.Sadler's imposing biography of the Japanese Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu has been recognized as an outstanding contribution to the knowledge of Japanese history. It is also considered the standard reference work on the period that saw the entrenchment of feudalism in Japan and the opening of some two and a half centuries of rigid isolation from the rest of the world.

In the course of Japanese history there have been five great military leaders who by common consent stand out above the others of their type. Of these, two lived in the twelfth century, while the other three, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, were contemporary in the latter half of the sixteenth century. The last of these three, with whose life Mr. Sadler deals, may well be described as having perfected the shogunate system. Not only did Ieyasu found a dynasty of rulers and organize a powerful system of government, but also he rounded off his achievements by contriving before his death to arrange for his deification afterwards.

As Mr. Sadler notes, "Tokugawa Ieyasu is unquestionably one of the greatest men the world has yet seen," and this fascinating account of Ieyasu's life and times is presented in a thoroughly absorbing narrative in which dramatic highlights abound.

Japan's feudal age came to a close in 1868 with the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the restoration of the Emperor to political power. The event marked the end of the powerful regime that Ieyasu established at the beginning of the seventeenth century. That it did not at the same time mark the eclipse of Ieyasu's greatness is sufficient testimony to the major role he played in his country's history. It is to to A. L. Sadler's lasting credit that he has brought this eminent but often ruthless military leader so vividly to life.

About the Author: A. L. Sadler was Professor of Oriental Studies at the University of Sydney from 1922 to 1948. He also served as Professor of Japanese at the Royal Military College of Australia. Among his numerous published works, in addition to the present volume, are A Short History of Japanese Architecture, Chinese Martial Code, The Japanese Tea Ceremony: Cha-no-yu, and a number of translations from Japanese literature, including The Ten Foot Square Hut and Tales of the Heike.

Stephen Turnbull is the author of more than fifty books on the military history of Europe and the Far East, and works as a consultant on all aspects of Japanese culture. He is currently lecturer in Japanese Religion at the Department of East Asian Studies at Leeds University.