Böcker av Stephen (Author) Turnbull

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 (1615ΓÇô1868).

Fully illustrated with colour maps and 50 images, this is an accessible introduction to the most violent, turbulent, cruel and exciting chapter in Japanese history.In 1467 the Onin War ushered in a period of unparalleled conflict and rivalry in Japan that came to be called the Age of Warring States. In this book, Stephen Turnbull offers a masterly exposition of the wars, explaining what led to Japan's disintegration into rival domains after more than a century of relative peace; the years of fighting that followed; and the period of gradual fusion when the daimyo (great names) strove to reunite Japan under a new Shogun. Peace returned to Japan with the end of the Osaka War in 1615. Turnbull draws on his latest research to include new material for this updated edition, covering samurai acting as mercenaries, the expeditions to Korea, Taiwan and Okinawa, and the little-known campaigns against the Ainu of Hokkaido, to present a richer picture of an age when conflicts were spread far more widely than was hitherto realised.With specially commissioned maps and all-new images throughout, this updated and revised edition provides a concise overview of Japan's turbulent Age of Warring States.

Towards the end of the 16th century three outstanding commanders brought Japan's century of civil wars to an end, but it was Tokugawa Leyasu who was to ensure a lasting peace. In terms of his strategic and political achievements Leyasu ranks as Japan's greatest samurai commander. This book tells his story.

The Samurai sword of Japan is probably the finest edged weapon ever made. This title reveals the story of how and why it achieved this distinction. It focuses on the development of the familiar blade from the original straight blades, the associated development of Japan's famous steel-making techniques and the challenges from contemporary warfare.

Arguably the greatest military commander in the history of the samurai, Toyotomi Hideyoshi rose from the ranks of the peasantry to rule over all Japan. This book looks at the story of Hideyoshi's military accomplishments, from his days as a tactical leader to his domination of the Japanese nation.

Each great samurai warlord, or daimyo, had a division of troops known as the Hatamoto, 'those who stand under the flag'. Such troops were naturally distinguished by dazzling apparel and heraldry, with banners both carried and attached to the back of the armour. This title details them with an array of colour artwork.

Tells the dramatic story of the two Mongol invasions of Japan that pitted the masters of the steppes against the noble Samurai. Using maps and illustrations, this title charts the history of these great campaigns, which included numerous bloody raids on the Japanese islands, and ended with the famous kami kaze that destroyed the Mongol fleet.

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. This book tells the story of Japan's female warriors, revealing the role of the women of the samurai class in their many manifestations.

Dr Stephen Turnbull is internationally recognised for his research into and writing on Japanese military history. Here he applies his scholarship to an account of the evolution of Japanese defensive architecture and engineering, from early earthworks through to wooden and earth castles and, finally, the emergence of the stone towers that are so characteristic of the samurai. He also plots the adaptation of Japanese castles to accommodate the introduction of firearms. With unpublished photographs from the author's private collection and full-colour artwork, including detailed cutaways, this is an essential guide to the fascinating development of Japanese castles.

?Stephen Turnbull, a renowned expert on the history of Japan, examines the samurai invasion of Korea, the first step in an ambitious Japanese plan to conquer China. Examining the various stages of the war, from the pitched battles of the early war years, to the great naval encounters, the dramatic sieges and the bitter trench warfare that characterized the end of the war, Turnbull provides a concise analysis of the conflict. Highly illustrated with contemporary photographs, full colour battlescene artwork, detailed maps and bird's-eye views, this is a concise history of a unique and exciting campaign, which not only involved huge numbers of men, differing terrain and tactics but was also the only time that the legendary samurai were pitched against a foreign nation.

Osprey's survey of pirates of the Far East, from 811 to 1639. For many centuries, international relations between Medieval Japan, Korea and China were carried out by means of the 'inseparable trinity' of war, trade and piracy. Much has been written about the first two means of interaction. The third element, which combined the other two in a violent blend of free enterprise, is the subject of this original and exciting book. It is written by Stephen Turnbull, who has visited all three countries in search of the elusive pirates of the Far East.

During the occupation of Korea the Japanese built 25 wajo or castles. This book examines these castles built by the Japanese, as well as the use made of the existing Korean fortifications, particularly, the city walls.

The most famous example of fortification in the world, the Great Wall of China stretches for more than 4,000 miles across inhospitable terrain. Charting its development since its construction in the 7th century BC, this book reveals the history of the wall, and explores the myths that surround it.

It has been said in China that a city without a wall would be as inconceivable as a house without a roof. This book traces the evolution of the walled city from the 3,000 year old remains of the beaten earth walls of the Shang dynasty to the huge stone fortifications of the Ming dynasty.

Founded in the late 12th century, the order of the Teutonic Knights was to play a major role during the crusades, both in the Holy Land and Northern Europe. This work studies the stone fortifications built by the order in their attempts to pacify and convert Livonia.

This manual illustrates the development of samurai armies during the mid-16th century, which witnessed the introduction of firearms. Focusing on the Kawanakajima campaigns of 1553-1564, it relates the struggle between two of mediaeval Japan's greatest warlords, Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin.

This work examines the Hussites as followers of Jan Hus, a reforming preacher who anticipated the Protestant Reformation in attacking the corruption and repression of the Church.

From the 11th century AD, East Asian armies used exploding missiles and siege cannon to reduce the fortification of their enemies, a level of technology that would not be seen in Europe until the 19th century. This book details the design and use of the wide range of weaponry available.

Britain's leading historian of Samurai warfare describes, explains and illustrates the strikingly colourful heraldry of the great warring families and their feudal armies in medieval Japan. Illustrated with many identified examples.

In 1614, Osaka Castle was Japan's greatest fortification, belonging to Toyotomi Hideyori, however the ruling shogun of the age, Tokugawa Ieyasu, was determined to destroy this one last threat to his position as Japan's ultimate ruler. This book explores the background of this bitter struggle, and the battle experiences of the opposing forces.

"The Revenge of the 47 Ronin - Edo 1702".

A study of the machinery of mediaeval siegecraft as used by Chinese, Mongol, Japanese and Korean armies prior to the introduction of gunpowder. It demonstrates that each country provided a different context into which the siege engines fitted, and this revealed much about machines themselves.

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 realize their worth. This title tells their story, drawing on Japanese sources and showing the disciplined ranks that they became.

Over the centuries, naval relations between Japan and Korea appear to have alternated between peaceful trade and outright hostility. This work covers East Asia's most famous warship - the legendary turtle ship, which is described here in full technical detail.

In 1543 three Portuguese merchants entered a turbulent Japan, bringing with them the first firearms the Japanese had ever seen: simple matchlock muskets called arquebuses. They proved a decisive addition to the Japanese armoury, as for centuries the samurai had fought only with bow, sword and spear. In 1575, during the Battle of Nagashino, one of the greatest original thinkers in the history of samurai, Oda Nobunaga, arranged his arquebusiers in ranks three deep behind a palisade and proceeded, quite literally, to blow his opponent's cavalry to pieces, marking the beginning of a new era in Japanese military history.

This title covers the entire period of Japanese castle development from the first introduction of stone walls and tower keeps in the mid-16th century, through the period of the great sieges of Japanese history.

Japan in the 16th century was made up of effectively independent kingdoms led by warrior leaders. The author examines this period of Japanese history, looking at the commanders and armies and the way in which the destruction of the elite Takeda army affected the Samurai on all sides.

The walls of Constantinople are the greatest surviving example of European medieval military architecture in the world. They withstood numerous sieges until being finally overcome by the artillery of Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453, and exist today as a time capsule of Byzantine and Medieval history. This book examines the main defensive system protecting the landward side of the city, which consisted of three parallel walls about 5 miles long. The walls defended the city against intruders, including Attila the Hun, before finally being breached by European knights during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and, ultimately, destroyed by Turkish artillery in 1453.

This title provides an examination of warrior monks' historical significance in strife-torn Japan, both before and during the Sengoku-Jidai period. It explains how the monks frequently held the balance of power and played a key role in the Japanese civil wars.

In June 1410 an army of Poles, Lithuanians, Russians, Tartars and Cossacks invaded the territory of the Teutonic Knights. When the armies clashed at the Battle of Tannenberg it resulted in a defeat for the order from which it would never recover.