Osprey Warrior 70 : Japanese Warrior Monks 949-1603 AD

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 book follows the daily life, training, motivation and combat experiences of the warrior monks from their first mention in 949 AD through to their suppression by the Shogunate in the years following the Sengoku-jidai period. Text by Stephen Turnbull with illustrations by Wayne Reynolds.

Contents

• Introduction
• Chronology
• Religious Recruitment
• Monk Training
• Appearance and Equipment
• Everyday Life in the Monastery
• The Warrior Monk in Battle
• Colour Plate Commentary
• Museums
• Re-Enactment
• Index