Early Samurai AD 200-1500 (Elite) [Paperback]

Anthony Bryant (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Elite | Publication Date: May 23, 1991

War played a central part in the history of Japan. Warring clans controlled much of the country. The wars were usually about land, the struggle for control of which eventually gave rise to perhaps the most formidable warriors of all time: the Samurai. Ancient Yayoi warriors developed weapons, armour and a code during the ensuing centuries that became the centrepiece for the Japanese Samurai. Anthony Bryant chronicles the history, arms and armour of these truly élite warriors, from the rise of the Yayoi through the Genpei War (1180–1185) between the Minamoto and Taira clans, to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An unrivalled illustrated reference source on fighting men and commanders, past and present. Each volume is packed with full colour artwork, making military history uniquely accessible to enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Anthony Bryant is a historian specialising in medieval Japanese history. He graduated from Florida State University in 1983 with a degree in Japanese Area studies. He lived for some time in Tokyo and is a member of the Japan Armour and Weapons Research and Preservation Society. He has published numerous articles on the subject of Japanese arms and is the author of another book on the Samurai, in the Osprey Elite series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (May 23, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855321319
• ISBN-13: 978-1855321311
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic samurai armor in fabulous artwork , photos, & text!, January 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Early Samurai AD 200-1500 (Elite) (Paperback)

While the Momoyama, Sengoku, and Edo periods of Japanese and samurai history have certainly captured a fair share of attention in print and cinema, episodes in the earlier development of the samurai tradition are certainly their equal in color and drama, both of which are wonderfully captured in this volume. Impeccable scholarship related in layman's terms, interesting anecdotes, outstanding photographs of period armor (or reproductions), and the unsurpassable artwork of Angus McBride make this volume a must for the enthusiast of Japanese or military history. A brief summary of Japan's military history from the court of the mysterious Himiko through the Heian and Kamakura/Nambokucho periods is followed by a detailed explanation of the development of Japanese armor and weapons of these eras. The photos of o-yoroi, do-maru, and haramaki-do armors are among the best I've seen in any work on samurai armor, even though they are only black ad white. Angus McBride has, once again, captured the spirit of the epoch in his splendid color plates. The samurai armor of the Kamakura period is classic! You will not be disappointed with Osprey's Early Samurai.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Addition to Any Library, March 1, 2000

By 

Dean M. Motoyama - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Samurai AD 200-1500 (Elite) (Paperback)

Another excellently researched, written & illustrated Osprey title. Bryant brilliantly summarizes the timeframe which includes the proto-historic era, the various clan insurrections, Gempei War, Mongol invasions, and the early shogunate. McBride masterfully captures the very early Japanese warrior class in his artwork. This book is a steal at the price.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Misleading title, September 22, 2007

By 

JAG 2.0 (IN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Early Samurai AD 200-1500 (Elite) (Paperback)

I was very disappointed by this book. I expected to get a book about the early samurai and, instead, I got a book which focused mainly on the history of early Japan. Half of the text is taken up by an excellent, but unwanted history of Japan's early political development. That's NOT what I paid for.

There's very little discussion of training, tactics, and weaponry. Armor is covered well, but the author insists on referring to all components by their japanese names. My Japanese is non-existent and I kept asking myself why the author couldn't just write "breastplate" instead occasionally.

Weapons aren't covered well. There is a drawing on page 16 of early swords which are very different than the curved katana sword we associate with later samurai. The text doesn't mention these swords (keeping in mind that the sword was supposedly the "soul of the samurai"), their evolution, variations, etc.

The b&w photos and color plates are excellent as one could expect for an Osprey book.

I was very disappointed in this book and would caution readers seeking more information on early samurai that this book will offer them little other than the color plates.