Samurai vs Ashigaru: Japan 1543–75 (Combat) Kindle Edition

This excellent Osprey Combat Series book discusses a revolutionary transition in warfare in 16th century Japan. The mounted samurai had long been the dominant element of Japanese combat, even if assisted by numbers of foot soldiers, or ashigaru. The arrival of fire arms and the rise of trained formations of musketeers changed all that.Author Stephen Turnbull provides a very helpful introduction into pre-modern Japan, followed by a fascinating discussion of Japanese combat of the era. The heart of the narrative will be three combats, in which foot soldiers armed with muskets play an increasing role on the field of battle. The text is nicely supplemented with period and modern illustrations, photographs, maps, and battle diagrams. Well recommended as an introduction to a revolution in Japanese military history.

This is an excellent book on the Japanese Samurai / Ashigaru war fighting in the 16th century. The author is clearlyknowledgeable and enthusiastic about the subject.The text is accompanied by several color maps, many black and white photos, and color renderings. If you are an enthusiast of Japanese medieval military history and culture, you will probably really like this book. I thought it was a bit boring, but that"s probably only because I'm generally not such an enthusiast; I'm more interested in the Japanese military history of the 1930s and WW II.

Turnbull a popularizer in the best sense -- bases his summaries on good sources

Great book