Tag: Samurai

Free Download Richard Hook, "Samurai Commanders (1): 940-1576"
English | 2005 | pages: 68 | ISBN: 1841767433 | PDF | 32,7 mb
Osprey’s examination of Samurai commanders during the Gempei Wars (1180-1185), the Onin War(1467-1477), and the early Sengoku period. The samurai were the military elite of medieval and early modern Japan, and the men who led them were hailed as the very greatest, most heroic and most honourable of all samurai warriors. This first of two books examines the lives, equipment, battles and wider roles of the samurai commanders between 940 and 1576, the period from the emergence of the samurai to the triumph of Oda Nobunaga, who set Japan on the road to reunification. The styles of armour and weaponry of the samurai changed considerably during this time and this book visually recreates some of the most famous samurai commanders, such as Taira Masaka (c. 903-940), Minamoto Yorimasa (1106-1180), and Takeda Shingen (1521-1573).

Free Download Richard Hook, "Osaka 1615: The Last Samurai Battle"
English | 2006 | pages: 97 | ISBN: 1841769606 | PDF | 49,9 mb
Osprey’s exploration of the complex background of the Siege of Osaka (1614-1615), as well as of the battle experiences of the opposing forces, in a compelling exploration of the conflict that led to the eventual triumph of one dynasty over another. In 1614, Osaka Castle was Japan’s greatest fortification, measuring approximately 2 miles in length with double circuits of walls, 100 feet high. It was guarded by 100,000 samurai, loyal to their master: the head of the Toyotomi clan, Toyotomi Hideyori. The castle was seemingly impenetrable, 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.