Underdogs of Japanese History: 11 tales of iconic characters who prevailed against the odds... or didn’t

This is a fantastic, interesting, amusing and informative book on Japanese history! I highly recommend this book. I loved the stories of the Sengoku period and the radical samurai that help shape history. At times sad, and at time hilarious. This book is a page turner. I recommend this writer's folk tales as well because of the hefty dose of history that accompanies each story. I feel like I understand Japan much better now.

I was first introduced to Mr. Ko's work purely by accident, (or was it fate?) through a friend who follows his page on Instagram [The Metro Classic Japanese], and I have been avidly reading his daily posts for almost two years now. When I heard that he was publishing a second book I waited for it with great anticipation, as I absolutely loved his first work, Folk Tales of Japan. Although the focus of this book is different than the first, both the tone and clarity with which the stories were told was unchanged. The author's voice came through strongly and clearly, and complimented the beauty and pathos of the stories he shared. One thing that I greatly value in his re-telling of these stories is his ability to make long gone historical characters clearly three-dimensional. By the time I had finished each of the tales, I felt as though these were people I could have known myself, not unapproachable icons, but simple people I would have liked to befriend. Like everyone I know, they faced tragedy and adventure, wins and losses, that are applicable today just as they were so many years ago. I also appreciate how Mr. Ko weaves in clear and clever modern analogies to illustrate the circumstances of his heroes, as he did when describing the "corporate samurai culture" that Maeda Keiji turned his back on after being "passed over for promotion." I would recommend this book highly, not just to those who are interested in learning Japanese history or history in general, but to anyone who wants to feel and understand how people in the past lived lives so similar to our own, with the same losses and successes. Several of the stories made me laugh, and others left me with tears, but all were both entertaining and insightful. I believe that Mr. Ko has been successful in his own goal of demonstrating how, "Understanding and relating to the struggles of people of other cultures and of distant pasts, finding ourselves cheering for them, and then rejoicing when they succeed leads to realizing we are one human race after all" (Ko, 2023). I hope that many more readers will find and enjoy this book as I did. These stories and their telling are definitely good for the soul.

I saw some of Kyota Ko's vids on YouTube and they are very entertaining. This book has some interesting history of unknown people who are not known outside of Japan. It is also filled with cultural commentary that help you understand what life was like durning the turbulent times of the Samurai, namely the Edo Period.

Fantastic book. Every time I finish one of Kyota-San’s stories, I want to retell the story to everyone I talk to. So good!

Luv this book and his collection of folk tales. It’s easy to read. I curl up and enjoy a story or two when I need a brake from chores. Well written with historical accuracy.

Great little book that provides very interesting insights into Japanese culture from a very different perspective than what we are used to. It is very enjoyable to read.

Good read

I enjoy the authors stories on Instagram and finally decided to get his books. As I read them I hear the stories as he says them on his Instagram stories. These are a great and fun way to learn about Japanese culture and folklore.