Iconic Weapons: History of the Katana

This month, we will be following the theme of looking at iconic weapons from throughout human history, starting with the katana. This legendry sword design comes from Japan and is renowned as one of the most effective cutting tools ever made. The iconic sword features a curved, single-edged blade with a small guard. The wordContinue reading “Iconic Weapons: History of the Katana”

What Is a Warrior Poet?

What exactly is a warrior poet? Most people probably point to the Knights Templar or Japanese samurai as examples of this virute. I suppose the exact meaning of such a concept may be individually determined by each who identifies as such. Nevertheless, there should be some commonalities between the definitions offered by all those whoContinue reading “What Is a Warrior Poet?”

Warriors and Artists: Poetry of the Samurai

I am sure many, if not all of us have heard stories of the famous Japanese samurai. This class of renowned warriors was prominent for nearly a thousand years in Japan’s history. The first samurai were said to have emerged in the 1100’s and continued to exist up until 1835. They often served at theContinue reading “Warriors and Artists: Poetry of the Samurai”

History of the Phrase “Come and Take It” and the Gonzales Flag

“Come and take it” is a common phrase used throughout history in multiple different languages and cultures as an expression of defiance against injustice, threats, intimidation, tyranny, and authoritarianism. Some claim King Leonidas I of Sparta made the expression in an exchange with King Xerxes of Persia at the Battle of Thermopylae. It is commonlyContinue reading “History of the Phrase “Come and Take It” and the Gonzales Flag”