Introduction
The origins and rise of the Samurai and, after their golden age, their gradual evolution into a non-military role as aristocratic bureaucrats.
The Unification of Japan
The military stabilization of Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568 1603), first by the campaigns of Oda Nobunaga (15341582) who almost united Japan. Unification was finally achieved by one of Nobunagas generals, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. After his death, Tokugawa Ieyasu seized political power, bringing stability to Japan. As the saying went: The reunification is a rice cake; Oda made it. Hideyoshi shaped it. At last, only Ieyasu tastes it.
Battles of the Samurai
Including: Nagashino (1575), where Takeda Katsuyoris cavalry charge was repelled by Oda Nobunagas musketeers. The Japanese invasion of Korea (159298); Sekigahara (1600), the most decisive battle in Japanese history, in which 40,000 people died and Tokugawa Ieyasu was victorious, leading to him becoming Shogun. The Siege of Osaka (161415), the last battle of the samurai, marking the Tokugawa shogunates victory over the Toyotomi clan. But how did they manage to defeat the forces inside Osaka Castle, which was defended by 100,000 samurai and had walls 100ft high?
Weaponry and Armour
Swords, longbows, pole weapons, cannons, matchlock guns, staff weapons, clubs, truncheons, lamellar and plate armour.
Myth and Reality of the Samurai
A great deal of romantic myth has grown up around the samurai, but where does the truth really lie? Bushido is the chivalric code of the samurai, but how seriously was it taken? How serious were instances where bushido was broken and samurai were disloyal. What was the philosophy and doctrine of the samurai? Ritual suicide hara- kiri was practised among the samurai to avoid torture by an enemy or the shame of defeat, including that of Oda Nobunaga (d.1582) and Takeda Katsuyori (d.1582), along with his family, among other cases.
Samurai Social Structure
Apart from a few high-ranking samurai, most were foot soldiers (ashigaru). The shogun had 17,000 samurai retainers; the daimyo (feudal lords) each had hundreds. Most lived off hereditary rights to collect rents and stipends. Together these high status groups comprised Japans ruling class, making up about 6% of the population.
Epilogue: The End of the Samurai
The arrival of Admiral Perry warships and forcing Japan to open up to international trade in the colonial era, heralding the end of the shogunate and the beginning of the Meiji restoration, restoring imperial rule to Japan in 1868.
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
