John Man

Blends mythology and anthropology to trace the history of the warriors with extraordinary skills in combat, climbing, deception, disguise and camouflage from their first appearance in feudal Japan to the present.

Draws on the author's own parallel journey and new evidence to retraces the steps of the medieval Italian merchant who traveled from Venice, through the Middle East and Central Asia, to China and Xanadu, the summer capital of Kublai Khan.