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Driven by strict codes of honour and bound by deep allegiances of rank, family or religion, the elite warriors of medieval Japan were bold fighters, loyal comrades and deadly enemies. With rare material from Japanese sources and lavish artwork and photography, this book examines the military lives, beliefs and battle experiences of four formidable warrior types-the samurai, ninja, warrior monk and ashigaru foot soldier-resuilting in a highly authoritative account of Japan's warrior elite.

ContentsIntroduction
Recruitment, organization and command of samurai
Appearance and equipment of the samurai
Belief and belonging
The samurai on campaign
The samurai's experience of battle
Part 2 Ashigaru
Introduction
Ashigaru recruitment
Organization of command of ashigaru
Campaign life of the ashigaru
The ashigaru's experience of battle
Part 3 Ninja
Japan's secret warriors
Recruitment and training
Ninja appearance and equipment
The daily life of a ninja
The ninja on campaign
The ninja's experience of battle
Aftermath-the ninja myth
Part 4 Warrior monks
Introduction
Warrior monk recruitment and service
Appearance and equipment of the warrior monk
Belief and belonging
Daiy life and training of warrior monks
The warrior monk on campaign
The warrior monks in battle
Conclusion
Glossary
Museum collections and places to visit
Bibliography and further reading
Index

An Osprey book that I really enjoyed and thought very well of? Will wonders never cease. I believe that in reference to Osprey in general, it is attitude adjustment time for me.

As the title indicates, this book is about the warriors from Japan's Medieval age. This is the period roughly from 1467 to 1638, called the 'Age of the Warring States'. The years before and after are also addressed as appropriate. Besides the "Introduction" and the "Conclusion", there are four Parts to the book: "Samurai" (new material), "Ashigaru" (from "Warrior 29: Ashigaru 1467-1649"), "Ninja" (from "Warrior 64: Ninja AD 1400-1650") and "Warrior Monks" (from "Warrior 70: Japanese Warrior Monks AD 949-1603"). The last three parts are available as separate Osprey Warrior booklets, as indicated.

The book is very well written and a pleasure to read, even with so may foreign names, words and concepts. It is profusely illustrated. There is a reasonably good glossary. There is also a very thorough index. There needs to be at least one good map.

Does the name Hattori Hanzo in "Kill Bill", written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, come from the Hattori Hanzo Masashige (1541-1596) mentioned several times in this book, known as 'Devil Hanzo'? He was the leader of the ninja in the Iga province and a samurai general.

The picture on page 155, which is of models on ninja equipment from the Ninja Museum at Iga Ueno, needs minimal, if not thorough, descriptions. Several other pictures of equipment, etc., do have adequate to very good descriptions. In the bibliography, on page 279, New Vanguard 42 should be New Vanguard 44, for "Siege Weapons of the Far East (2)". The margin on each page, to the outside of the page, is too large.

Read from about January 20, to February 1, 2011. ( )