Samurai, warfare & the state in early medieval Japan
By: Karl F. Friday.
Edition: 1st ed.
Series: Warfare and history
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2003
Place of publication: New York, NY
Language: eng
Number of pages: 252
Subjects: Samurai -- History.; Japan -- History, Military -- To 1868.
Other titles: Samurai, warfare and the state in early medieval Japan
Description: "Friday analyzes Heian-, Kamakura- and Nambokucho-period warfare from five thematic angles. He examines the principles that justified armed conflict, the mechanisms used to raise and deploy armed forces, the weapons available to early medieval warriors, the means by which they obtained them, and the techniques and customs of battle." "A thorough, accessible and informative review, this study highlights the complex causal relationships among the structures and sources of early medieval political power, technology and the conduct of war."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: 1. The meaning of war. The concept of just war. Private war. Feuding & self-help. Ritual war.; title: 2. The organization of war. Hired swords & franchise armies. Equilibrium & revolution. The Kamakura vassal corps. Officers & the chain of command; title: 2. The organization of war. Hired swords & franchise armies. Equilibrium & revolution. The kamakura vassal corps. Officers & the chain of command. Warriors & warbands; title: 3. The tools of war. Manufacture & procurement of weapons. Projectile weapons. Shock weapons. Protective weapons. Horses & tack; title: 4. The science of war.  The way of the horse & bow. Shaping battle. Ambushes & raids. Fortifications & strongholds. New wine in old bottles; title: 5. The culture of war. Reputation, honor & warrior personality. Deception, guile & surprise. Battle cries & self-introduction. Prisoners of war. Head hunting. Non-combatants.