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The Perfect Sword
"Sensei Masa was a master swordsmith known throughout all of Japan."
Young Michio is apprenticed to the master swordsmith. He watches and learns not only the skills to make a fine sword, but also lessons in humility, hard work, and compassion, elements of Bushido, the samurai code of honor. When he and Sensei create a sword that rivals all others, warriors from around Japan come to claim ownership of it. But only one can be worthy.
Rich, symbolic art captures the Tokugawa period in ancient Japan. Includes an author's note about the history of Japanese samurai swords and a glossary of Japanese terms.
Young Michio is apprenticed to the master swordsmith. He watches and learns not only the skills to make a fine sword, but also lessons in humility, hard work, and compassion, elements of Bushido, the samurai code of honor. When he and Sensei create a sword that rivals all others, warriors from around Japan come to claim ownership of it. But only one can be worthy.
Rich, symbolic art captures the Tokugawa period in ancient Japan. Includes an author's note about the history of Japanese samurai swords and a glossary of Japanese terms.
48 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 21, 2023
เซนเซมาสะ และลูกศิษย์นามว่ามิชิโอะ ได้ร่วมกันตีดาบขึ้นมาเล่มหนึ่ง ซึ่งเป็นดาบที่แม้แต่ช่างตีดาบก็ต้องบอกว่าสมบูรณ์แบบ
มีผู้คนมากมายมาขอซื้อดาบไปครอบครอง แต่เซนเซมาสะก็ไม่เคยตอบรับเพราะพวกเขายังมีคุณสมบัติไม่พอ
เพราะดาบสมบูรณ์แบบที่พวกเขาตีขึ้นมา มีไว้ให้กับคนที่คู่ควรเท่านั้น
หนังสือภาพเล่มบางๆ อ่านง่าย แต่แฝงไปด้วยปรัชญา ผู้เขียนแต่งเรื่องและวาดภาพประกอบเองทั้งเล่ม ทำให้เรื่องและภาพเป็นไปในทิศทางเดียวกัน
Goodreads ให้ 4.2 เราให้ 4
มีผู้คนมากมายมาขอซื้อดาบไปครอบครอง แต่เซนเซมาสะก็ไม่เคยตอบรับเพราะพวกเขายังมีคุณสมบัติไม่พอ
เพราะดาบสมบูรณ์แบบที่พวกเขาตีขึ้นมา มีไว้ให้กับคนที่คู่ควรเท่านั้น
หนังสือภาพเล่มบางๆ อ่านง่าย แต่แฝงไปด้วยปรัชญา ผู้เขียนแต่งเรื่องและวาดภาพประกอบเองทั้งเล่ม ทำให้เรื่องและภาพเป็นไปในทิศทางเดียวกัน
Goodreads ให้ 4.2 เราให้ 4
October 13, 2020
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This is a terrific story that also has a great message for kids. Teaching them the values of humility, hard work, and respect, with beautiful illustrations, this will quickly become household favourite.
Alicia - The Book Grocer
This is a terrific story that also has a great message for kids. Teaching them the values of humility, hard work, and respect, with beautiful illustrations, this will quickly become household favourite.
Alicia - The Book Grocer
October 23, 2018
Gems from this book:
"Hurting someone needlessly is an act of weakness, not strength."
"One should not be rewarded for doing what is right."
"I had the power to help. When one can, one should. Such is the responsibility of power, even with as little as I have."
"Hurting someone needlessly is an act of weakness, not strength."
"One should not be rewarded for doing what is right."
"I had the power to help. When one can, one should. Such is the responsibility of power, even with as little as I have."
July 7, 2015
My son’s eyes got really big when I pulled this out of the library shelf, and we had to bring it home. How could this cover not catch your eye? Goto’s paintings are absolutely gorgeous, with a gravity to them that goes with the story. His book is about what qualities make a person truly great, learned by a swordmaker’s apprentice who watches his master evaluate candidates for ownership of the sword. If you need a bedtime book about samurai and swords, this is the one.
March 28, 2009
Tema says "I liked about the fighting. I liked the scary stuff. The ronin was scary. I liked the pictures, but not the picture of Lord Toda. What I really really really liked about it is when they finally found someone to be the perfect man to be the fighter. He was already trained. Everybody else I guess was mean. The book got my attention."
Good story and enjoyable illustrations.
Good story and enjoyable illustrations.
July 1, 2009
This story expresses the true meaning of being a samurai, or any martial artist (or person for that matter!) with only a touch of preachiness. Characters' faces and forms have a strongly-molded look that fits the subject of samurai and true strength very well.
Good for early-elementary children who enjoy swords, samurai, or martial arts.
Good for early-elementary children who enjoy swords, samurai, or martial arts.
August 28, 2013
Set in the Tokugawa shogunate, many Japanese ideals are expressed as the swordmaker looks for someone worthy of his latest sword. The images reflect on the nature of each man, as the "bad" guys are more comically represented. Included in the back is more information on Japanese swordmaking, and a list of definitions for certain words.
July 1, 2009
The creator of the perfect sword looks for the perfect person to wield his creation.
June 8, 2010
Awesome picture book about integrity. I cried when I read it to my son. Wish our leaders would read this book and take it to heart.
June 20, 2012
The first book suggested to me by the new Reading Rainbow iTunes app. Young or old, I'll read it.
October 19, 2013
A fabulous children's book, focusing on the qualities of honor, humility, hard work and doing right.
July 1, 2014
This was the first book the boychild chose in the Reading Rainbow app. Story about a master swordmaker and his apprentice finding the right samurai for the perfect sword.
May 10, 2011
characteristics that make up a good Samurai
October 14, 2015
Very good insight on Japanese culture and history.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews