Once More Unto the Breach: Samurai Warriors and Heroes in Ukiyo-e Masterpieces

For artists, collectors, and anyone studying the visual language of Japanese heroism, Once More Unto the Breach is a bilingual (JP/EN) reference devoted to samurai warriors, legendary heroes, and the dynamic force of ukiyo-e.

Rather than presenting warriors as static historical figures, this book shows how ukiyo-e artists gave them visual power through movement, posture, armor, gesture, weapons, and dramatic composition.

Presented in Japanese and English, the book brings together a wide range of heroic figures and narratives, including the Genji and Heike clans, Sengoku-era warriors, Miyamoto Musashi, the Eight Dog Warriors, Jiraiya, the Forty-seven Ronin, and the Chinese hero Guan Yu.

Featuring works by major ukiyo-e masters such as Hokusai, Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi, and Yoshitoshi, this title is especially useful if you want to:

• study character-driven Japanese imagery through warriors, heroes, armor, and narrative scenes
• build a stronger visual vocabulary for movement, tension, and dramatic composition
• understand how ukiyo-e shaped enduring images of strength, conflict, and heroism

Once More Unto the Breach is a strong companion for anyone interested in how Japanese print culture turned legendary figures into lasting visual icons.

Book details

• Title: Once More Unto the Breach: Samurai Warriors and Heroes in Ukiyo-e Masterpieces
• Binding: Softcover
• Language: Japanese / English
• Pages: 240
• Size: 182 × 228 mm