Description

A brilliant but little-known operation, the Shimazu clan raid on the independent kingdom of Rykkyu (modern Okinawa) in 1609 is one of the most extraordinary episodes in samurai history and the culmination of centuries of rivalry between the two powers. The defeat of the Shimazu at Sekigahara in 1600, and their need to win favor with the new ShMgun, led them to hatch an audacious plot to attack the islands on the ShMgun's behalf and bring back the king of Rykkyu as a hostage. Stephen Turnbull gives a blow-by-blow account of the operation, from the daring Shimazu amphibious landing, to their rapid advance overland, and the tactical feigned retreat that saw the Shimazu defeat the Okinawan army and kidnap their king in spectacular fashion. With a detailed background and specially commissioned artwork, the scene is set for a dramatic retelling of this fascinating raid.

Product details

Published Nov 17 2009
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781846034428
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 20 b/w; 20 col
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Raid
Short code RAID 6
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Stephen Turnbull

Stephen Turnbull is widely recognised as the world…

Illustrator

Richard Hook

Richard Hook was born in 1938 and trained at Reiga…

Illustrator

Donato Spedaliere

Donato Spedaliere was born in Switzerland and move…

Illustrator

Mariusz Kozik

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