Japanese Warrior Monks AD 949-1603
by Stephen Turnbull
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Book Summary Information
Author: Stephen TurnbullIllustrator: Wayne Reynolds
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-05-20
ISBN: 1841765732
Number of pages: 64
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Book Reviews of Japanese Warrior Monks AD 949-1603
Book Review: Buddhist Warrior-monk - strange concept
Summary: 4 Stars
A Buddhist monk can't even eat meat; much less kill another human being. But just like in the Middle East, where monastic militant orders arose, necessity and overwhelming conviction led to the emergence of those holy warriors (or evil monks as their enemies called them).
There are very few resources on this subject (except in Japanese) so this title closes this gap with competence. Turnbull, the incomparable master of Japanese lore and History in the Occidental world, doesn't only describe the Warrior Monk - Sohei, he also clarifies lots of details and doubts that arise to the layman. Just as an example: what differentiate a Yamabushi from other Sohei; what's the most adequate terminology? why did the different sects fought, was it ideological differences or internal and external politics? They're favorite weapon was the Naginata, but what kind of Naginata?
Professor Turnbull also describes the history of almost 700 years of intermittent conflict, the main temples, sects and wars in which they were involved.
The art of Wayne Reynolds is full of energy and movement, but some will probably find it quite cartoonish compared to other Osprey Titles. Although I like it, I would rather prefer that the artist had personalized more the facial features of the depicted warriors.
Clearly this subject needs a thorough analyses and a much larger book. Most of us don't associate immediately a sect to a temple and to a faction...sometimes this can be quite confusing. The Ennin faction a.k.a. Sammonha and associated with Enryakuji; see what I mean. A table with the personalities, names of factions, sects and their main temples would help the reader a lot. Also there are many great Japanese images of paintings that the source isn't mentioned, only the explanation of the event (but the reader doesn't know if that is a contemporary image or one made 200 years later for example). Maybe in a next edition those issues will be corrected.
Even with those little stains this is a great book and highly recommended.
Summary of Japanese Warrior Monks AD 949-1603
From the 10th to the mid-17th century, religious organisations played an important part in the social, political and military life in Japan. Known as sohei ('monk warriors') or yamabushi ('mountain warriors'), the warrior monks were anything but peaceful and meditative, and were a formidable enemy, armed with their distinctive, long-bladed naginata. The fortified cathedrals of the Ikko-ikki rivalled Samurai castles, and withstood long sieges. This title follows the daily life, training, motivation and combat experiences of the warrior monks from their first mention in AD 949 through to their suppression by the Shogunate in the years following the Sengoku-jidai period.Japan Books
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