Warriors of Medieval Japan

by Turnbull, Stephen; McBride, Angus; Reynolds, Wayne; Gerrard, Howard

• ISBN13: 9781841768649
• ISBN10: 1841768642
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-07-13
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

Combines material previously published as Warrior 29: Ashigaru 1467-1649, Warrior 64: Ninja AD 1460-1650, Warrior 70: Japanese Warrior Monks AD 949-1603, with a new section on Samurai, new images, and a new introduction and conclusion. The samurai remain the best known warriors of medieval Japan, but they were by no means the only fighting elite. There were the ashigaru, who were first recruited to swell army numbers but later became a vital part of any samurai force. Trained to protect their monasteries, warrior monks were formidable enemies, mastering a range of martial traditions. Finally, the Ninja catered to an increasing demand for spies, informants and sometimes assassins, developing the arts of armed and unarmed combat and explosives.

Table of Contents

Introduction	7	(11)
Chronology
Part 1: Samurai	18	(64)
Introduction
Recruitment, organization and command of samurai
Appearance and equipment of the samurai
Daily life and training of samurai
Belief and belonging
The samurai on campaign
The samurai's experience of battle
Part 2: Ashigaru	82	(60)
Introduction
Ashigaru recruitment
Organization and command of ashigaru
Campaign life of the ashigaru
The ashigaru's experience of battle
Part 3: Ninja	142	(60)
Japan's secret warriors
Recruitment and training
Ninja appearance and equipment
The daily life of a ninja
The ninja on campaign
The ninja's experience of battle
Aftermath -- the ninja myth
Part 4: Warrior monks	202	(66)
Introduction
Warrior monk recruitment and service
Appearance and equipment of the warrior monk
Belief and belonging
Daily life and training of warrior monks
The warrior monk on campaign
The warrior monks in battle
Conclusion	268	(3)
Glossary	271	(3)
Museum collections and places to visit	274	(4)
Bibliography and further reading	278	(2)
Index	280