Osprey Elite 35 : Early Samurai 200-1500 AD

War played a central part in the history of Japan. Warring clans controlled much of the country. The wars were usually about land, only 20% of which was fit for farming. The struggle for control of that land 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. The code developed from the Chinese concept of the virtues of warriors doing battle to the Samurai code of chivalry known as Kyuba no michi ("The Way of Horse and Bow") to the Bushido ("Way of the Warrior") code. Expert in fighting from horseback and on the ground, they practised both armed and unarmed combat, using swords for close-in fighting and beheading the enemy. Anthony Bryant chronicles the history, arms and armour of these truly élite warriors of the period 200-1500AD, from the rise of the Yayoi through the Genpei War between the Minamoto and Taira clans to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. This volumne includes 12 full page colour plates by Angus McBride.

Contents

• The Proto-Historic Period
• The Historical Period
• The Capital at Heiankyo
• The Genpei War
• The Mongol Invasions
• Early Japanese Armour
• The Plates