Early Samurai AD 200–1500

Early Samurai AD 200–1500
Author: Anthony J Bryant
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 161
Release: 2013-01-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1472800389

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.

Early Samurai AD 200–1500

Early Samurai AD 200–1500
Author: Anthony J Bryant
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 66
Release: 2013-01-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1472800788

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.

Samurai Armour

Samurai Armour
Author: Trevor Absolon
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 373
Release: 2017-11-30
Genre: Antiques & Collectibles
ISBN: 1472822242

The first of a two-part series on the armour of the samurai, this volumes 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. 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. 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.

Early Samurai AD 200–1500

Early Samurai AD 200–1500
Author: Anthony J Bryant
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1991-05-23
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781855321311

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.

The Mongol Invasions of Japan 1274 and 1281

The Mongol Invasions of Japan 1274 and 1281
Author: Stephen Turnbull
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 98
Release: 2013-01-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1849082502

An illustrated account of one of the most important campaigns in the history of Japan and the origin of the kami kaze - a key part of Japanese national identity. From his seat in Xanadu, the great Mongol Emperor of China, Kubla Khan, had long plotted an invasion of Japan. However, it was only with the acquisition of Korea, that the Khan gained the maritime resources necessary for such a major amphibious operation. Written by expert Stephen Turnbull, this book tells the story of the two Mongol invasions of Japan against the noble Samurai. Using detailed maps, illustrations, and newly commissioned artwork, Turnbull charts the history of these great campaigns, which included numerous bloody raids on the Japanese islands, and ended with the famous kami kaze, the divine wind, that destroyed the Mongol fleet and would live in the Japanese consciousness and shape their military thinking for centuries to come.

Japanese Warrior Monks AD 949–1603

Japanese Warrior Monks AD 949–1603
Author: Stephen Turnbull
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2012-06-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782000100

From the 10th to the mid-17th century, religious organisations played an important part in the social, political and military life in Japan. Known as sohei ('monk warriors') or yamabushi ('mountain warriors'), the warrior monks were anything but peaceful and meditative, and were a formidable enemy, armed with their distinctive, long-bladed naginata. The fortified cathedrals of the Ikko-ikki rivalled Samurai castles, and withstood long sieges. This title follows the daily life, training, motivation and combat experiences of the warrior monks from their first mention in AD 949 through to their suppression by the Shogunate in the years following the Sengoku-jidai period.

Samurai Heraldry

Samurai Heraldry
Author: Stephen Turnbull
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Total Pages: 68
Release: 2002-03-25
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781841763040

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.

Mercenaries: A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies

Mercenaries: A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies
Author: Alan Axelrod
Publisher: CQ Press
Total Pages: 735
Release: 2013-12-27
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1483364674

Mercenaries: A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies provides a comprehensive survey and guide to the mercenary forces, entrepreneurs, and corporations that 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—while countries as diverse as Saudi Arabia and Australia rely on privatization in one form or another. This comprehensive one-volume work covers the full range of mercenaries active on the international military scene today, including a concise history of mercenaries and private armies on land, sea, and in the air. Key Features Illuminating sidebars include 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. A general bibliography concludes the entire work. Mercenaries is a must-have reference for academic libraries, public libraries, and any social science, governmental, or non-governmental reference collection.

Russian Army of the Seven Years War (1)

Russian Army of the Seven Years War (1)
Author: Angus Konstam
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 121
Release: 2021-06-24
Genre: History
ISBN: 1472852834

During the long and costly conflict known as the Great Northern War [1700-1721], Peter the Great and his newly formed Russian army, which was modelled on western European lines, defeated their Swedish counterparts, who were generally regarded as being the finest troops in Europe. Angus Konstam examines the development, equipment and organisation of the Russian army following the death of Peter the Great, and describes its emergence from three decades of experimentation and political involvement as a major military power during the Seven Years War. This first of two volumes covers the Russian infantry, with its companion, Men-at-Arms 298, focusing on the cavalry.

Soldiers' Lives through History - The Ancient World

Soldiers' Lives through History - The Ancient World
Author: Richard A. Gabriel
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 329
Release: 2006-11-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 0313041997

Once warfare became established in ancient civilizations, it's hard to find any other social institution that developed as quickly. In less than a thousand years, humans brought forth the sword, sling, dagger, mace, bronze and copper weapons, and fortified towns. The next thousand years saw the emergence of iron weapons, the chariot, the standing professional army, military academies, general staffs, military training, permanent arms industries, written texts on tactics, military procurement, logistics systems, conscription, and military pay. By 2,000 B.C.E., war was an important institution in almost all major cultures of the world. This book shows readers how soldiers were recruited, outfitted, how they fought, and how they were cared for when injured or when they died. It covers soldiers in major civilizations from about 4000 B.C.E. to about 450 C.E. Topics are discussed cross-culturally, drawing examples from several of the cultures, armies, and time periods within each chapter in order to provide the reader with as comprehensive an understanding as possible and to avoid the usual Western-centric perspective too common in analyses of ancient warfare.