Ashigaru 1467-1649, Warrior 29, Osprey

ASHIGARU 1467-1649

The ashigaru were the foot soldiers of old Japan. Although recruited first to swell an army's numbers and paid only by loot, the samurai began to realise their worth, particularly with arquebuses and spears, until well-trained ashigaru made up a vital part of any samurai army. This book tells the story of the ashigaru for the first time, their origins, recruitment training and use in war. Stephen Turnbull draws on previously untranslated Japanese sources and unpublished illustrations that show the range of ashigaru activity, from sailors to catapult artillery men as well as the disciplined ranks of warriors that they had become.

Contents:

THE ASHIGARU: A HISTORICAL SURVEY

• The rise of ashigaru Ashigaru earn armour Nobunaga shows the way forward Toyotomi Hideyoshi

ASHIGARU RECRUITMENT

• The call to arms Permanent units Rapid response units

ORGANISATION AND COMMAND

• Weapon specialisation Spearmen Serving a samurai Signals and flag bearers

CAMPAIGN LIFE OF THE ASHIGARU

• Horses Looting Civilian casualties Field remedies

THE ASHIGARU'S EXPERIENCE OF BATTLE

• Arquebus troops Hand to hand fighting Archery squads Spearmen Spear carriers and standard bearers

Author: Stephen Turnbull

Illustrator: Howard Gerrard

Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Description: 64 pages, Paperback, 247 X 184 mm.

Condition: NEW COPY

Shipping weight: 390 gr.