Description

Featuring specially commissioned artwork, this lively study assesses the array of weapons and equipment employed by the samurai, Japan's legendary warriors.

This fully illustrated new book describes and analyzes the weapons and equipment traditionally associated with the samurai, Japan's superlative warriors. It examines the range of weapons used by them at different times and in different situations.

Beginning with the rise of the samurai during the 10th century, this lively study traces the introduction of edged weapons (cutting and piercing) and missile weapons (bows and guns) over the next 500 years. The book shows clearly how they were employed by individual samurai using many previously untranslated primary texts, and explains how their use spread more widely among low-class troops, pirates, and rebels. It also shows how schools of martial arts took over and changed the weapons and their uses during the peaceful Edo Period (1615–1868).

Table of Contents

Introduction
Development
Use
Impact
Conclusion
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Product details

Published Jul 27 2021
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 80
ISBN 9781472844040
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Weapon
Short code WPN 79
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Stephen Turnbull

Stephen Turnbull is widely recognised as the world…

Illustrator

Johnny Shumate

Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator li…

Illustrator

Alan Gilliland

Alan Gilliland, a contributor to more than 70 Ospr…

Resources

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