Samurai Heraldry

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Samurai Heraldry
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Stephen Turnbull
Illustrated by Angus McBride
SeriesElite
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:64
Dimensions(mm): Height 248,Width 184
Category/GenreGenealogy, heraldry, names and honours
ISBN/Barcode 9781841763040
ClassificationsDewey:929.60952
Audience
General
Illustrations 58 b/w; 18 col

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Publication Date 20 March 2002
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

The dazzling spectacle presented by the armies of medieval Japan owed much to the highly developed family and personal heraldry of samurai society. From simple personal banners, this evolved over centuries of warfare into a complex system of flags worn or carried into battle, together with the striking 'great standards' of leading warlords. While not regulated in the Western sense, Japanese heraldry developed as a series of widely followed practices, while remaining flexible enough to embrace constant innovation. Scores of examples, in monochrome and full colour, illustrate this fascinating explanation of the subject by a respected expert on all aspects of samurai culture.

Author Biography

Stephen Turnbull is a leading English language authority on medieval Japan and the samurai. He has travelled extensively in the Far East, particularly in Japan and Korea, and is the author of a number of major books on the subject. He has contributed several titles to the Osprey Military list since his original Men-at-Arms 86, Samurai Armies 1550-1615, in 1979. Angus McBride, one of the world's most respected historical illustrators, has contributed to more than 70 Osprey titles. He worked in advertising agencies from 1947, and is a self-taught artist. In 1953 Angus emigrated to South Africa. He came back to the UK in 1961, and has worked freelance ever since. With his family he returned to South Africa in 1976, since when he has lived and worked in Cape Town.