Samurai Warlords: The Book of the Daimyo [Hardcover]

S.R. Turnbull (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 174 pages
• Publisher: Blandford Press (June 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0713720034
• ISBN-13: 978-0713720037
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,402,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite pictures and text, July 5, 2001

By 

Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Samurai Warlords: The Book of the Daimyo (Paperback)

Anyone interested in the history of Japan by a Western writer should be familiar with the works of Cambridge educated Stephen Turnbull. Having read four of his books on Japanese history I can testify to the clarity and detail he puts into his writing. This book is no exception. The book is about the daimyo, the elite of the samurai who in turn were the elite of the military. So what Turnbull does is give a detailed account of the creme de la creme of the samurai class. Although the book can be a bit tedious for the novice Japanese historian it is complimented by wonderful illustrations, colorful plates by James Field and photographs of exquisite beauty. There is much to see in this book if the details of the military structure get too complicated. It helps to have a basic understanding of the historical periods dicussed, but not essential as Turnbull makes the information easy to understand. He covers two periods, the Sengoku Period(think feudal Japan) and the Edo Period which was the three centuries of peace that followed. The foundation was created for the daimyo during the age of war and carried over into the folowing period that was by contrast almost marked by the total absence of war. The code of conduct and honour of a samuarai, or bushido, is discussed as well as the various relationships to all parts of society. Turnball makes a correlation to the present and shows how allegiance to a group, in this case modern industry, and a leader are part of self- sacrifice for the good of the country. The plates, drawings, photographs and woodcuts are fascinating and spellbinding material for students of Japnese history. While teaching a class I used some of the plates to compliment the subject and found that students were totally captivated by the often graphic nature of the violent war scenes. One plate in particular was inspired by the fabulous film by Kurosawa entitled Ran, where the defeated warlords family commits suicide in a blazing castle. This is an excellent source book for anyone interested in the hisory of Japan, samurai or more specifically, the daimyo. Recommended for teachers and students alike, this book is worth seeking out if this subject interests you, there are few if any better authorites in this field.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good ol samurai book, November 28, 2008

By 

Heather Dixon "Book Samurai" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samurai Warlords: The Book of the Daimyo (Hardcover)

Nearly every book I own on samurai is written by Mr. Turnbull and this one does not disappoint! It is a beautiful hard back that looks at all the different aspects of a daimyo's life. From calling men to arms, to arts, and even their private lives. The pictures are great, the drawings are lovely and many of the photographs are in color. The only negative I have isn't with in the book itself but it was described as a book about all the indivual warlords from the Sengoku and Edo periods. I thought I was getting a book with a ton of biographies. But still the book will become a valuble resource and join the ranks of all my other favorite Samurai books.

5.0 out of 5 stars Samurai Warlords: more than you ever wanted to know, July 5, 2011

By 

matt (the reading room) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samurai Warlords: The Book of the Daimyo (Paperback)

As far as I have been able to discern, Dr. Turnbull is the leading expert on Medieval Japan and Japanese military history in general. I have read at least six of his books and am always impressed with his meticulous research and readable style. His generous use of illustrations and remarkably accurate historical paintings by James Field (full and double page) are a hallmark of his works as well. A page without an illustration is rare in his books.
Samurai Warlords examines the history and impact of the samurai class in the social and political history of Japan through the lens of their leaders. The contents include very detailed studies of sex and the samurai, loyalty, death and obedience, the duty of vengeance, peacekeeping, general warrior culture, and five appendices of statistics and biography.
Binding and text are excellent.
The following books are also very useful in this regard: Samurai: The World of the Warrior, Samurai Warfare, Warriors of Medieval Japan (General Military), Samurai Warriors, Samurai: The Story of Japan's Great Warriors, Ninja: The True Story of Japan's Secret Warrior Cult and Japanese Castles 1540-1640 (Fortress). To get a little more philosophical, try KODO: Ancient Ways: Lessons in the Spiritual Life of the Warrior/Martial Artist (Literary Links to the Orient) and Classical Budo (Martial Arts & Ways of Japan Series: Vol.).