Ashigaru 1467–1649 (Warrior, 29)

Steven Turnbull, one of the few western experts on pre-modern Japanese warfare, authored this Osprey title on the Ashigaru - the Samurai's commoner foot soldiers. For those such as myself who always picture Japanese warfare as a clash between armies of noble Samurai warriors, one will learn a great deal from this work on the Ashigaru.The author begins with the origins of the Ashigaru as part-time soldiers hired for a single campaign who were indifferently equipped and of marginal use on the battlefield. They evolved over time into a professional and important military arm of Daimyo armies. In time, they became the lowest rung on the Samurai hierarchy. Their equipment varied from era to era to include swords, pikes and even firelock muskets first introduced by Portuguese merchants.The author does a very good job of showing what life was like for the Ashigaru - on campaign and in battle. They author relates their training, their food, their changing status within armies and society and their equipment in regards to both weapons and armor and what was expected of Ashigaru formations in battle.This is a very good primer not only on the Ashigaru, but on Japanese warfare and how it changed over time. As one can expect from an Osprey title, the color plates and photos are excellent. This book also includes Japanese woodcut images showing Ashigaru in action - in more ways than one! In one, Ashigaru are looting an enemy village and while one carries off various objects another has a young woman over his shoulder!This is a very enlightening work on the Samurai's "grunts" and gets five stars from me.

A rare disappointment for Osprey. Some good photographs of original weapons and armor, but no new information or insight about the Ashigaru and very mediocre and uninspiring art work. There are other, much better Osprey books about the Samurai and Ashigaru in their catalog.

Just as advertised.

Typical Osprey warrior title, detailed, well-illustrated, and providing information rarely, if ever, found anywhere else.

Got to complete the Osprey set on this subject and found that it was a an old print of the book - hence the 4 stars. Still a good read mind

Indispensable pour un figuriniste ou un wargamer pur et dur. Comme tous les Ospreys, ces ouvrages doivent trôner dans une bibliothèque de joueur de wargame ou de féru de Japon Médiéval

pour les passionés du japon féodal , cet ouvrage est une mine d'informations et de documentations , Je pense que je vais me procurer les autres ouvrages de cet auteur sur cette période ;