An Unofficial 'The MeatEater Podcast' Reading List

659. Dawn of the Samurai: Bloodbath at the Bridge (Part 2)

April 09, 2026

Description

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Books Referenced

The Tale of the Heike

Author: Royal Tyler

Context:

Tom Holland mentions this is the translation by Royal Tyler for Penguin Classics and describes it as 'a tremendous read' and 'the great war epic, the Iliad of medieval Japan.'

A History of the Samurai

Author: Jonathan Clements

Context:

Tom Holland quotes from this book when describing the brutal practice of bantori (beheading), specifically referencing Clements' description of the verb for beheading in combat.

The World of the Shining Prince

Author: Ivan Morris

Context:

Tom Holland quotes from this book about Lady Murasaki and Genji when explaining how the Fujiwara imposed a lifecycle on emperors to keep them under their control.