Strongholds of the Samurai: Japanese Castles 250-1877

This is a well written book by Stephen Turnbull about the history and evolution of Japanese castles and fortified temples. The book covers from the early Nara-Heian era all the way up to fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The book is well illustrated, photographed, mapped and written. Anyone with passing interest in Japanese Samurai history will find this book to be a very good basic source of reference.....


Type: Book
Author: Stephen Turnbull 
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The Samurai: A Military History

The Samurai has long since become a standard work of reference. It continues to be the most authoritative work on samurai life and warfare published outside Japan. Set against the background of Japan's social and political history, the book records the rise and rise of Japan's extraordinary warrior class from earliest times to the culmination of their culture, prowess and skills as manifested in the last great battle they were ever to fight - that of Osaka Castle in 1615....


Type: Book
Author: Stephen Turnbull 
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Himeji Castle: Japan's Samurai Past

Learn all about Himeji Castle, which may be the best standing example of a Japanese castle. This book really gives a feel for what it would be like to visit the castle. If you get a chance, visit it in person! The illustrations and photographs are excellent. There is a timeline, glossary, index, and list of resources for further study...


Type: Book
Author: Jacqueline A. Ball
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A Samurai Castle (Inside Story)

This book on samurai castles of the 16th and 17th centuries covers details of their construction, history, and the life and times of their inhabitants. Each double-page spread provides a paragraph or two on a particular aspect of the era (e.g., elegant interiors, castles and towns, entertaining visitors, women's lives, arms and armor) and detailed, informative full-color illustrations. Brief descriptions of some famous samurai are included...


Type: Book
Author: Fiona Macdonald
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Castles of the Samurai: Power and Beauty

The Castles of Japan are both technical and aesthetic marvels. They are technical marvels in that they are perfectly suited to their roles of defensive fortresses and administrative centers in time of war. They are aesthetic marvels in that every curve and line reflects an extraordinary sense of beauty. How these castles came about, how they were built, and what their ultimate fate was, all this is depicted in sensitive prose and eye-opening photography...

Type: Book
Author: Jennifer Mitchelhill
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Osaka 1615: The Last Samurai Battle

In 1614, Osaka Castle was Japan's greatest fortification, measuring approximately 2 miles in length with double circuits of walls, 100 feet high. It was guarded by 100,000 samurai, loyal to their master: the head of the Toyotomi clan, Toyotomi Hideyori. The castle was seemingly impenetrable, however the ruling shogun of the age, Tokugawa Ieyasu, was determined to destroy this one last threat to his position as Japan's ultimate ruler. This book explores the complex background of this bitter struggle, as well as the battle experiences...


Type: Book
Author: Stephen Turnbull
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What is Japanese Architecture?

Japanese architecture, copiously illustrated with line drawings which augment text descriptions of Jap anese structures. Encyclopedic in ap proach, the book is arranged by chap ters that cover broad building types. Within each chapter, particular styles, important works, and notable cities are discussed. Augmenting the text is a list ing of sites, a bibliography, and an in dex. A good book to satisfy the increas ing interest in Japanese culture. Recommended for most libraries...


Type: Movie
Author: Kazuo Nishi 
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