The samurai class: cultivating the arts of war and peace
Russell Kelty During the last thirty years customs have changed: now when young samurai get together, if there is not just talk about money matters, loss and gain, secrets, clothing styles or matters of sex, there is no reason to gather at all … What things a person should be able to accomplish if he had no haughtiness concerning his place in society.1 Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659–1721), retainer, Nabeshima clan
40
fig. 1: Yoshitora Utagawa, Japan, active 1840–80, Procession of warriors (Musha gyôretsu no zu) 1865, Edo (Tokyo), colour woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and colour on paper, triptych, 35.8 x 72.5 cm (overall); David Murray Bequest Fund 1940
