from dust jacket

For many centuries, samurai warriors had an absolute monopoly on the bearing of arms in Japan, and epitomized the ideas of partiotism and devotion to military duty. They were an entire and separate class in society, a caste of the lower nobility, and followed a special code known as busido, a strict code of ethics and conduct intended to provide a philosophical foundation for a 'freedom from fear.' This would enable a samurai to transcend the fear of death and give him the peace and power to serve the daimyo (his master) faithfully and loyally, and to die well if necessary.

The samurai were highly trained, fearsome warriors, masters in the art of unarmed combat in self-defense and in the use of the bow and arrow, and especially the sword, which for them had a spiritual significance. Over centuries they engaged in individual combats and the many wars which raged throughout Japan almost constantly until the beginning of the 17th Century-conflicts that included internecine warfare between the main clans, disputes between minor warlords, wars of imperial successsion, conflict with the less developed tribes at regional frontiers, and religious wars involving the various sects of warrior-monks and, later, Christians. They were also called upon to defend their homeland against invasion, and were at the forefront of expansionist campaigns in neighboring Korea, where they were also involved in conflict with the Chinese.

In a highly readable text, the author descirbes the lives and attitudes of the samurai, drawing on many examples to explain the background to the conflicts and their conduct in them, putting into context the brutality involved. He goes into great detail concerning their etiquette, their armor and weapons, and their tactics; he describes Japan's ruling imperial system, with fascinating examples of the activities of many emperors and empresses, and the role of the shoguns (the 'barbarian-subduing generals'); explains the act of ritual suicide (seppuku); and gives an account of the coming of the foreigners and, finally, the abolition of the samurai in the 1870's.

Samurai Warriors is liberally illustrated with paintings of historical events, many by artists contemporary with the samurai, and also with specially taken photographs of armor and weapns, and other artifacts. It is a superb work of reference on a fascinating, bygone class of magnificent fighting men, and, it could be said, of a whole national ethos.

David Miller is a former British Army officer, who spent his service in England, the Falkland Islands, Germany, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Singapore. He subsequently worked as a freelance author and worked for three years as a journalist for Jane's Information Group. Apart from numerous books on modern defense topics, he has devoted an increasing amount of time to research into historical subjects. The Wreck of the Isabella (Pen & Sword, 1992) was his first historical book; this book on Samurai Warriors is his second; and he is currently working on the life of Colonel Sir William De Lancey, who was wounded at Wellington's side at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815. His interest in Japanese history was aroused by a samurai sword brought back by his father from his service in the Far East in 1944-45, and this book is the result.

Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1: The Setting
Chapter 2: Samurai Warfare
Chapter 3: Fearsome Warriors
Chapter 4: Fearsome Weapons
Chapter 5: Samurai Wars
Chapter 6: The End of the Samurai
Appendices
Glossary
Index