Description
Book SynopsisThe "Anatomy of a samurai army" details its composition, hierarchies, strengths and weaknesses as well as examining how it fought. Other aspects include: - the differences between samurai and European warfare; - the roles assigned to samurai and ashigaru in different armies; - how these armies, some of which were over 100,000 strong, functioned; - marching orders and camp facilities of the armies and; - where each individual samurai stood in the order of battle. The reader will discover what may seem to be abstract or strange ideas by way of the most detailed examples possible, in both word and picture, that are based on a variety of Japanese sources.
Table of ContentsAuthor’s note Periods of Japanese History Basics of Japanese Military History c. 1600 Arms and Armour Samurai Ashigaru Composition and Command Structure of a Samurai Army Lord, Family, and Vassals Command Structure Feudal Samurai Service and Professional Troops in Garrisons Strength and Composition of Armies Army Divisions and Troop Types Samurai Cavalry: Myth and Reality - The Takeda Re-Examined Infantry I: Specialists with polearms Infantry II: Missile Troops (Bow and Arquebus) Honjin - The Headquarters Unit Supply and Baggage Train Samurai as Mercenaries A Samurai Army in Action On the March In Camp In Battle - Sengoku Period Tactics A Standard Basic Unit Reconstructed Key Terms in Japanese and English Bibliography
