When describing Japanese culture, one of the most common terms that is used, both in Japan and abroad, is samurai. Yet the image created by this word varies widely. The samurai were known by a variety of names, but today these words are not necessarily used with a proper understanding of their historical backgrounds. This book accompanies an exhibition that examines the samurai who lived during the Edo period, the time when the modern image of the samurai was formed, in an attempt to discover their true nature. It looks at their lives and work through paintings, writings, and photographs, and presents items that have been passed down through samurai families.