THE SAMURAI CASTLE MASTER: Warlord Todo Takatora

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Bio explains the life of samurai warlord and respected castle architect Todo Takatora, his shifting allegiences, achievements in battle and in castle design, political and personal ideals, and how all these attributes were shaped during the course of his adventurous life that ended in 1630. Reveals why Takatora deserves the epithet of National Hero.

Born to a small landholding samurai family, the maverick youth worked his way to the top, becoming one of the most successful of daimyo warlords. He had served on the front lines of some of the most violent of battles andf turning points that forged the nation. In a land and time in which loyalty was held dear, he changed his allegiances a record seven times, serving a record 10 lords -- more than any other samurai in history.

Standing six feet tall in a time when the average Japanese man stood between 5 and 5 1/2 feet, Todo Takatora was a giant among men. He died aged 74, when the normal life span was around 50. He was also the finest, most innovative of castle architects, responsible for the design and construction of over 30 of the strongest, most innovative Japanese castles and structures, and influencing samurai castle construction across Japan.