Yamamoto Tsunetomo (Jocho)

Samurai / Monk / Author

Japanese samurai of the Nabeshima clan and author of Hagakure, the definitive Bushido code.

Quick Facts

Date of Birth6/11/1659

Date of Death11/30/1719

Era17th–18th century

Country of OriginJapan (Saga)

Rank / TitleAuthor of Hagakure (The Book of the Samurai)

Active Years1680–1719

Biography

Yamamoto Tsunetomo was a Saga domain samurai who became a Zen monk. His philosophical commentary Hagakure (In the Shadow of Leaves) codified the uncompromising spirit of Bushido.

Associated Martial Arts

Koryu BujutsuNotable figure→

An umbrella term for the Japanese combat schools founded before 1868. It is not a style but the dividing line between the old schools and modern ways such as judo or kendo.