Download or read book Early Samurai AD 200 1500 written by Anthony J Bryant and published by Osprey Publishing. This book was released on 1991-05-23 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: War played a central part in the history of Japan. Warring clans controlled much of the country. The wars were usually about land, the struggle for control of which eventually gave rise to perhaps the most formidable warriors of all time: the Samurai. Ancient Yayoi warriors developed weapons, armour and a code during the ensuing centuries that became the centrepiece for the Japanese Samurai. Anthony Bryant chronicles the history, arms and armour of these truly élite warriors, from the rise of the Yayoi through the Genpei War (1180–1185) between the Minamoto and Taira clans, to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century.
Download or read book Early Samurai AD 200 1500 written by Anthony J Bryant and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2013-01-20 with total page 161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: War played a central part in the history of Japan. Warring clans controlled much of the country. The wars were usually about land, the struggle for control of which eventually gave rise to perhaps the most formidable warriors of all time: the Samurai. Ancient Yayoi warriors developed weapons, armour and a code during the ensuing centuries that became the centrepiece for the Japanese Samurai. Anthony Bryant chronicles the history, arms and armour of these truly élite warriors, from the rise of the Yayoi through the Genpei War between the Minamoto and Taira clans to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century.
Download or read book Early Samurai AD 200 1500 written by Anthony J Bryant and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2013-01-20 with total page 66 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: War played a central part in the history of Japan. Warring clans controlled much of the country. The wars were usually about land, the struggle for control of which eventually gave rise to perhaps the most formidable warriors of all time: the Samurai. Ancient Yayoi warriors developed weapons, armour and a code during the ensuing centuries that became the centrepiece for the Japanese Samurai. Anthony Bryant chronicles the history, arms and armour of these truly élite warriors, from the rise of the Yayoi through the Genpei War between the Minamoto and Taira clans to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century.
Download or read book Samurai 1550 1600 written by Anthony J Bryant and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2013-02-20 with total page 66 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This title details the culture, weapons, armour and training of the elite samurai warrior class in the fascinating Age of Battles period (1550-1600). This was a period of vital importance not only because of the political effects of the chaos but also due to the changes in warfare that occurred. In 1542 the Portuguese introduced the matchlock musket into Japanese warfare, and this book traces the effect that this important innovation had on the samurai. Life outside the field of battle is also examined, making this an unmissable book for those interested in this brave warrior caste.
Download or read book Samurai Heraldry written by Stephen Turnbull and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2012-06-20 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The dazzling spectacle presented by the armies of medieval Japan owed much to the highly developed family and personal heraldry of samurai society. From simple personal banners, this evolved over centuries of warfare into a complex system of flags worn or carried into battle, together with the striking 'great standards' of leading warlords. While not regulated in the Western sense, Japanese heraldry developed as a series of widely followed practices, while remaining flexible enough to embrace constant innovation. Scores of examples, in monochrome and full colour, illustrate this fascinating explanation of the subject by a respected expert on all aspects of samurai culture.
Download or read book Samurai Women 1184 1877 written by Stephen Turnbull and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2012-01-20 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From when the Empress Jingo-kogo led an invasion of Korea while pregnant with the future Emperor Ojin, tales of female Japanese warriors have emerged from Japan's rich history. Using material that has never been translated into English before, this book presents the story of Japan's female warriors for the first time, revealing the role of the women of the samurai class in all their many manifestations, investigating their weapons, equipment, roles, training and belief systems. Crucially, as well as describing the women who were warriors in their own right, like Hauri Tsuruhime and the women of Aizu, this book also looks at occasions when women became the power behind the throne, ruling and warring through the men around them.
Download or read book Samurai Armour written by Trevor Absolon and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2017-11-30 with total page 1007 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For beauty, precision and strength, nothing has ever matched the combination of form and function found in the armour of the samurai. For a samurai, the consummate warrior, his suit of armour was so much more than 'just' protective equipment that could save his life in the heat of battle – it was the embodiment of his personality, social status and very soul. This volume, the first in a two-part series on the armour of the samurai, traces first the history of the samurai themselves and then examines the history and evolution of the cuirass or dou, the armour protecting the samurai's chest. Drawing on over 20 years of research and technical work by Trevor Absolon, a leading expert, this is a complete study of this fundamental aspect of samurai armour construction. Illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams, this is more than just a detailed technical exploration, it is a meditation on a process that was, and still is, nothing short of an art form.
Download or read book Ashigaru 1467 1649 written by Stephen Turnbull and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2023-12-21 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A richly illustrated study of the origins, recruitment, training, and combat of the ashigaru, a vital element of samurai armies. The ashigaru were the foot soldiers of old Japan. Although recruited first to swell an army's numbers and paid only by loot, the samurai began to realise their worth, particularly with arquebuses and spears, until well-trained ashigaru made up a vital part of any samurai army. Drawing on previously untranslated Japanese sources, Stephen Turnbull examines the origins, recruitment, training and use in war of the ashigaru. He surveys the range of ashigaru activity, including their roles as sailors and catapult artillery men as well as the disciplined ranks of warriors that they had become. Illustrated throughout with specially commissioned artwork and previously unpublished illustrations, this book tells the story of the ashigaru for the first time.
Download or read book Mercenaries A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies written by Alan Axelrod and published by CQ Press. This book was released on 2013-12-27 with total page 441 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mercenaries have been active in battle from the beginning of military history and, as private armies and military support firms, they are a major component of warfare today. Security, military advice, training, logistics support, policing, technological expertise, intelligence, transportation—all are outsourced to a greater or lesser degree in the U.S. military. However, privatization is not a uniquely American phenomenon. Countries as diverse as Saudi Arabia and Australia rely on privatization in one form or another. Historically, heads of state, politicians, and other administrators have justified use of mercenaries on the basis of their effectiveness, and cost-savings. These reasons and others continue to serve as rationales for use of private military companies in military strategy. Mercenaries: A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies provides a comprehensive survey and guide to mercenary forces, entrepreneurs, and corporations active on the international military scene today, including a concise history of mercenaries and private armies on land, sea, and in the air. Narrative chapters are amply supplemented by sidebars including biographies of major figures, key statistics, historical and current documents, contracts, and legislation on private armies and outsourced military services. Each chapter includes a bibliography of books, journal articles, and web sites, and a general bibliography concludes the entire work.
Download or read book Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 3 written by Stan Sakai and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 618 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Usagi Yojimbo is one of the longest running and best-loved comic adventures of all time. Running from 1984 to the present day, and showing no sign of diminishing in popularity, the rabbit ronin is now seen as a figurehead of the comic book scene, and crucial to bringing the ideas of feudal Japan to a wider western audience. Roaming an anthropomorphic version of feudal Japan, the rabbit samurai has no master, but takes on tasks from any aggrieved animals he encounters - always ensuring he sticks to the noble way of the samurai.
Download or read book Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 3 Second Edition written by Stan Sakai and published by Dark Horse Comics. This book was released on 2022-01-04 with total page 620 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Stan Sakai’s epic series continues in the third volume of the definitive Usagi Yojimbo compilations featuring brand new original cover art by Stan Sakai! Usagi faces a terrifying new foe who wears a demon mask, the Eisner-winning “Grasscutter” storyline receives a sequel, pickpocket Kitsune’s history is revealed, fan-favorite character Sasuké the Demon Queller makes his debut, and a beloved ally long thought dead returns! Collects Usagi Yojimbo Volume Three #31–#52, along with stories from Dark Horse Presents and more!
Download or read book African Samurai written by Thomas Lockley and published by Harlequin. This book was released on 2019-04-30 with total page 518 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This biography of the first foreign-born samurai and his journey from Africa to Japan is “a readable, compassionate account of an extraordinary life” (The Washington Post). When Yasuke arrived in Japan in the late 1500s, he had already traveled much of the known world. Kidnapped as a child, he had ended up a servant and bodyguard to the head of the Jesuits in Asia, with whom he traversed India and China learning multiple languages as he went. His arrival in Kyoto, however, literally caused a riot. Most Japanese people had never seen an African man before, and many of them saw him as the embodiment of the black-skinned Buddha. Among those who were drawn to his presence was Lord Nobunaga, head of the most powerful clan in Japan, who made Yasuke a samurai in his court. Soon, he was learning the traditions of Japan’s martial arts and ascending the upper echelons of Japanese society. In the four hundred years since, Yasuke has been known in Japan largely as a legendary, perhaps mythical figure. Now African Samurai presents the never-before-told biography of this unique figure of the sixteenth century, one whose travels between countries and cultures offers a new perspective on race in world history and a vivid portrait of life in medieval Japan. “Fast-paced, action-packed writing. . . . A new and important biography and an incredibly moving study of medieval Japan and solid perspective on its unification. Highly recommended.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Eminently readable. . . . a worthwhile and entertaining work.” —Publishers Weekly “A unique story of a unique man, and yet someone with whom we can all identify.” —Jack Weatherford, New York Times–bestselling author of Genghis Khan
Download or read book Samurai Heraldry written by Stephen Turnbull and published by Osprey Publishing. This book was released on 2002-03-25 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The dazzling spectacle presented by the armies of medieval Japan owed much to the highly developed family and personal heraldry of samurai society. From simple personal banners, this evolved over centuries of warfare into a complex system of flags worn or carried into battle, together with the striking 'great standards' of leading warlords. While not regulated in the Western sense, Japanese heraldry developed as a series of widely followed practices, while remaining flexible enough to embrace constant innovation. Scores of examples, in monochrome and full colour, illustrate this fascinating explanation of the subject by a respected expert on all aspects of samurai culture.
Download or read book The Great Armies of Antiquity written by Richard A. Gabriel and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2002-11-30 with total page 455 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Gabriel examines 18 ancient army systems, examining the organizational structure and weapons employed and the degree to which cultural values and imperatives shaped the form and application of military force. The tactical doctrines and specific operational capabilities of each army are analyzed to explain how certain technical limitations and societal/cultural imperatives affected the operational capabilities of ancient armies. Cross-cultural and cross-historical connections ground the analysis in the larger historical context of the ancient world. •Sumer and Akkad •The Armies of the Pharaohs •The Hittites •The Mitanni •Armies of the Bible •The Iron Army of Assyria •Chinese Armies •Persia and the Art of Logistics •The Greeks •Carthaginian Armies •Armies of India •Rome •The Iberians, Celts, Germans, and Goths •The Army of Byzantium •The Vikings •The Arab Armies •The Japanese Way of War •The Mongols •The Ottomans This book also provides an introductory overview of war in the ancient world, from 2500 B.C.E. to 1453 C.E., as well as an examination of the evolution of modern warfare from 1453 to 2002 C.E.
Download or read book Usagi Yojimbo Volume 15 Grasscutter II Journey to Atsuta Shrine written by Stan Sakai and published by Dark Horse Comics. This book was released on 2002-02-19 with total page 187 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: created, written, & illustrated by STAN SAKAI Forged in the clouds by the elemental gods of feudal Japan, the legendary sword Kusanagi — also known as "Grasscutter" — holds such power that it is sought after by mighty forces of good and evil. Multiple award winner Stan Sakai continues the epic adventures of his signature samurai rabbit, Usagi Yojimbo, in this second book centering on the mystical sword. Starting with a prologue that unveils the history of the sword, Grasscutter II rejoins Usagi with his samurai travelling companion, Gen, as they journey to the sacred shrine of Atsuta to return the powerful sword to its final resting place. But two ninja clans will fight the honorable samurai as well as each other in order to capture the sword and gain control of the empire with it. An enthralling book for all ages to enjoy, Grasscutter II will amaze readers with its narrative depth and poetic storytelling.
Download or read book The First Samurai written by Karl Friday and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2008 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In The First Samurai, you'll discover the amazing true story of Taira Masakado, Japan's first samurai hero. This account traces the roots of Masakado's "bloody feud with local rivals, including his uncles and brothers-in-law. It explains how apparently trifling squabbles grew into years of bitter provincial warfare involving thousands of highly trained samurai." "Filled with harrowing battle scenes, portraits of early Japan, and astounding legends of Masakado's celebrated life after death, The First Samurai is a must-read for anyone interested in the samurai, early Japanese history, and a whopping good tale well told."--BOOK JACKET.
Download or read book Samurai Warriors written by Ben Hubbard and published by Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC. This book was released on 2016-12-15 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Samurai Warriors illustrates the truth about the fighting men that are iconic in Japanese culture. Comprehensive historical text on the samurai separate myth from fact in chapters detailing their history, from formation to decline, their political role and social structure, and their warfare. Photographs, artwork, and maps illustrate their fighting style and strategy, and depict battles, weapons, and armor. For a period of over fifty years, the samurai helped rule Japan, but these fighter still represent the power and prestige of the warrior.
