Library's review
From dust jacket
The Samurai conjures up romantic visions of the chivalrous knight of Ancient Japan, willing to uphold his honor in lone combat or sacrifice his life in massive mounted charges, always following th e code of Bushido (the Way of the Warrior).
A member of the aristocracy, from the tenth
The long wars of Kusunoki and Ashikaga produced several changes in the nature of warfare. Fighting in wooded, mountainous contryside, hand-to-hand combat came into its own. The bulky yoroi was superceded by the lighter, less constricting do maru and the no dachi, a longer version of the naginata ) glaive), was introduced. The renowned Samurai cult of the sword began in this period. The Samurai's most ornate and elaborate armor dates from the Tokugawa era, and was probably not intended for use in actual battle.
The long develoment of arms and armor in the Samurai's 700-year history is fully detailed in this handsome volume. Illustrated with over 300 photographs, Arms and Armor of the Samurai will be a welcome addition to the libraries of all military enthusiasts.
Ian Bottomley was born in 1940 and started his career as a chemist, entering further education in 1967. He now teaches computing in a College of Technology. His interest in Japanese arms and armor was awakened during his schooldays and continues undiminished to this day. Thsi same enthusiasm led to the study of Kendo, through which he met his co-author. He is founder member of the To-Ken Society of Great Britain (Northern Branch) and has held the position of chairman for several years.
Anthony Hopson, known to everyone as Jock, was born in 1944. He visited Japan for the first time in 1964 on sabbatical from Goldsmiths College. During his stay he studied the development and manufacture of Japanese armor while furthering his interests in Kendo and Iai-do. He later studied Japanese at Waseda University during a four-year stay in Tokyo, and continued his study of the martial arts. He has represented the UK in Kendo as British Team Captain and is recognized as an International Referee. Until recently, he was employed as a carver and gilder of picture frames at the National Gallery, London , a craft which he now pursues from his own workshop.
Contents
Foreword
Chapter 1: The Origins of the Warriior Class
Chapter 2: The Samurai during the Gempei Wars
Chapter 3: The Kamakura and Nambokucho Periods
Chapter 4: Civil Unrest: the Ashikaga Shogunate
Cnapter 5: The Evolution of Modern Armour
Chapter 6: The Arrival of the Southern Barbarians
Chapter 7: Japan in Isolation: the Edo Period
Glossary, Bibliography, Index
The Samurai conjures up romantic visions of the chivalrous knight of Ancient Japan, willing to uphold his honor in lone combat or sacrifice his life in massive mounted charges, always following th e code of Bushido (the Way of the Warrior).
A member of the aristocracy, from the tenth
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century the Samurai was primarily a mounted archer. This is reflected in the light, lamellar yoroi armor which left the ritght arm free for drawing his bow. Helmets were simple, with leather neck-pieces. Battle began with an exchange of arrrows, and was followed by a series of hand-to-hand combats among champions, who relied on the sword.The long wars of Kusunoki and Ashikaga produced several changes in the nature of warfare. Fighting in wooded, mountainous contryside, hand-to-hand combat came into its own. The bulky yoroi was superceded by the lighter, less constricting do maru and the no dachi, a longer version of the naginata ) glaive), was introduced. The renowned Samurai cult of the sword began in this period. The Samurai's most ornate and elaborate armor dates from the Tokugawa era, and was probably not intended for use in actual battle.
The long develoment of arms and armor in the Samurai's 700-year history is fully detailed in this handsome volume. Illustrated with over 300 photographs, Arms and Armor of the Samurai will be a welcome addition to the libraries of all military enthusiasts.
Ian Bottomley was born in 1940 and started his career as a chemist, entering further education in 1967. He now teaches computing in a College of Technology. His interest in Japanese arms and armor was awakened during his schooldays and continues undiminished to this day. Thsi same enthusiasm led to the study of Kendo, through which he met his co-author. He is founder member of the To-Ken Society of Great Britain (Northern Branch) and has held the position of chairman for several years.
Anthony Hopson, known to everyone as Jock, was born in 1944. He visited Japan for the first time in 1964 on sabbatical from Goldsmiths College. During his stay he studied the development and manufacture of Japanese armor while furthering his interests in Kendo and Iai-do. He later studied Japanese at Waseda University during a four-year stay in Tokyo, and continued his study of the martial arts. He has represented the UK in Kendo as British Team Captain and is recognized as an International Referee. Until recently, he was employed as a carver and gilder of picture frames at the National Gallery, London , a craft which he now pursues from his own workshop.
Contents
Foreword
Chapter 1: The Origins of the Warriior Class
Chapter 2: The Samurai during the Gempei Wars
Chapter 3: The Kamakura and Nambokucho Periods
Chapter 4: Civil Unrest: the Ashikaga Shogunate
Cnapter 5: The Evolution of Modern Armour
Chapter 6: The Arrival of the Southern Barbarians
Chapter 7: Japan in Isolation: the Edo Period
Glossary, Bibliography, Index
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Genres
ISBN
517103184
Publication
Crescent Books New York Avenel