The samurai, Japan's warrior class for more than seven centuries, were legendary on the battlefield. The range of the samurai fighting tools included swords wielded in the heat of battle, and less well-known hibuki (concealed weapons) used for self-defence during peacetime. This illustrated exploration of samurai weapons covers the Japanese martial culture, the range of weapons that were used, how each was used, the samurais' fighting styles, and the weapons' influence on contemporary police techniques.