To fully immerse yourself in the game, I highly recommend starting by learning about the history of Japan [en.wikipedia.org], starting in 660 BC. Learn about the life of the simple peasant people of Japan, the lives of samurai and feudal lords, and explore the geography [en.wikipedia.org] and nature[www.japan.travel] of the country. I was fascinated by the study of Japanese volcanoes [en.wikipedia.org] and the cult of worshipping them [en.wikipedia.org] - it's a fascinating subject! (I was very interested in volcanoes in particular and spent a lot of time studying Japanese volcanoes and them). Let's not forget about the real Mongol invasions of Japan [en.wikipedia.org], the history of Tsushima [en.wikipedia.org], which really suffered attacks and in the not so distant past 1905 Japan defeated the fleet of the Russian Empire thanks to the island of Tsushima and the Korean Strait.

A very interesting topic is Japanese mythology [en.wikipedia.org] and demonology [www.bokksu.com], this is one of the most interesting topics related to Japan, you will learn who Izanami and Izanagi are, mistress Amaterasu [en.wikipedia.org], Fujin [en.wikipedia.org], Susano [en.wikipedia.org] and Kitsune [en.wikipedia.org], who will sometimes accompany you during the game, you can find all this in Kojiki [en.wikipedia.org], Nihon Shyoki [en.wikipedia.org], Fudoki [en.wikipedia.org], Kujiki [en.wikipedia.org] and Man`yoshu [en.wikipedia.org]. Just study these scriptures and you will learn your little zen in an integral part of ancient Japan, also learn what Hokku [en.wikipedia.org] / Haiku [www.poetryfoundation.org] is, as Hokku will be present directly in Ghost of Tsushima gameplay.

I can't afford not to recommend you listen to the audiobook of BUSHIDO: The Way of the Warrior , watch a few movies by Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samurai, Ran, Rashomon, Throne of Blood), look what is Noh Theater , who is Geisha [en.wikipedia.org], Japanes arts [en.wikipedia.org] and of course listen to national Japanes instrumental music .

Katana [en.wikipedia.org], Yumi [en.wikipedia.org], Wakisashi [en.wikipedia.org], Nagitana [en.wikipedia.org], Yari [en.wikipedia.org], Nodachi [en.wikipedia.org], Tessen [en.wikipedia.org], Shurikens [en.wikipedia.org]... All this is an integral part of Japan is their traditional weapons, aesthetic and deadly weapons, which the samurai treated not just as an object for killing, their weapons had the soul of the bearer, and whole ceremonies and rituals were invented for the transfer and inspection of weapons, so Japanese weapons are of great importance in the history of Japan.

You should also check out the Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Like a Dragon: Ishin!, For Honor, Civilization VI. This will help you to better understand Japanese culture and feel the aesthetics of ancient Japan through your gaming experience.

You will hear phrases about samurai during the Ghost of Tsushima game, but know that in 1274 there was no word Samurai, then there was a word Bushi, which means from the Japanese language Warrior (as you could understand Bushido is the code of the warrior, not the code of the samurai) the word "samurai" comes from the old indefinite form of the verb "to serve" (侍ふ saburau) about that samurai - a servant man. The word samurai was first officially dated only in 1603 in the first Japanese-Portuguese dictionary, although samurai as a class and caste began to form between the XV and XVI centuries AD.

For those who are interested in different faiths, I highly recommend learning about Shintoism , Buddhism and how these two religions are related . These are two interrelated religions of Japan that still exist and unite all Japanese people with their past.

And if you are fans of Mongolia, pay attention to such legendary figures as Genghis Khan [en.wikipedia.org] and Khubilai [en.wikipedia.org]. Also I will be very glad if you will be interested in studying the culture of Mongolian shamanism [en.wikipedia.org], it is incredible but Mongolian traditions exist till now, in particular very popular Mongolian tradition is throat singing , sygyt and playing the vargan .

Japanese history is one of the most amazing areas I have ever studied. I have dedicated part of my life to it in order to understand this mysterious and exotic culture. I even became a Buddhist and plan to undergo the ritual to become a Shintoist when I visit Japan in the future.

Let's immerse ourselves in the world of Ghost of Tsushima together and enrich our understanding of Japanese culture and history!!!