Samurai
Perhaps the greatest warriors in history, the Samurai were a product of a social system totally geared to war.
The Samurai became expert in fighting both on horseback and on the ground. Their way of life was dictated by the code of Bushido or 'way of the warrior' and clad in their magnificent, multi-coloured armour they were perfectly suited to the violent clan and dynastic warfare that dominated medieval Japan as the most powerful families vied for supremacy.
In this compact guide, Anthony J Bryant presents a fascinating overview of these truly élite warriors.
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 two books on the Samurai, in the Osprey Elite series.
Angus McBride was one of the world's most respected historical illustrators, and contributed to over 100 Osprey titles over several decades.