New Bites: The Tale of the Heike by Royall Tyler (translator)

A masterpiece of world literature; the samurai saga of pride, romance, and warfare of medieval Japan.

With a reflection on the fleeting nature of power and glory begins The Tale of the Heike , an epic from twelfth-century Japan. Comparable in stature to The Tale of Genji , The Tale of the Heike
narrates with wit, energy, and compassion the stories of such
unforgettable characters as the ruthless warlord Kiyomori, who dies
still burning with such rage that water poured on him boils; Hotoke, the
beautiful young dancer who renounces wealth and fame to follow her
conscience; Shigemori, the tyrant’s righteous son, who struggles against
all odds to uphold fairness and justice; and Yoshitsune, the daring
commander who defeats the enemy in battle after battle, only to be
condemned by his jealous, powerful brother.

The Tale of the Heike
is a foundation stone of Japanese culture and a major masterpiece of
world literature. Lavishly illustrated and accompanied by maps,
character guides, and genealogies, this book is a volume to treasure.