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Japanese Castles AD 250-1540 (Fortress) Paperback – Illustrated, April 22, 2008

by Stephen Turnbull (Author), Peter Dennis (Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 27 ratings
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Renowned expert Stephen Turnbull examines the castles built in Japan, from the first primitive fortifications in the Yayoi Period (300 BC-AD 250) through to the first proper castles which began to be developed with the rise to power of the Yamato Court, the first emperors of Japan in around AD 250. Examining the close ties that early Japanese dynasties had to both China and Korea, Turnbull assesses how Japanese defensive architecture betrays these influences.

Also examined is the effect that the terrain in Japan had on fortifications - from the early reliance on earthworks and palisades and the development of wooden and earth castles, often sited on the top of the mountains, into more elaborate stone constructions in the 15th century. Finally, the emergence of the stone towers that are so characteristic of samurai is investigated, as is the gradual adaptation of Japanese castles to accommodate the introduction of firearms. With previously unpublished photographs from the author's private collection and full-color artwork, including detailed cutaways, this is an essential guide to the fascinating development of Japanese castles.

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Previous page
  1. Part of series
    Fortress
  2. Print length
    64 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Osprey Publishing
  5. Publication date
    April 22, 2008
  6. Dimensions
    7.24 x 0.21 x 9.83 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1846032539
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1846032530
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The book covers the complete design and implementation of castle styles and shows how the various works were modified or improved to meet the needs of the areas in which they were placed. In all, a superb addition to the Fortress series and a book that I believe you will find interesting.” ―Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (May 2008)

“After describing the history and location of these fortifications, the author presents details of their design and construction...An interesting work...” ―J.E. Kaufmann, SiteO (April 2008)

About the Author

Stephen Turnbull is widely recognised as the world's leading English language authority on the samurai of Japan. He took his first degree at Cambridge and has two MAs (in Theology and Military History) and a PhD from Leeds University. He is now retired and pursues an active literary career, having now published 85 books. His expertise has helped with numerous projects including films, television and the award-winning strategy game Shogun Total War.

Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn, leading him to study Illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects, including many Osprey titles. A keen wargamer and modelmaker, he is based in Nottinghamshire, UK.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Osprey Publishing; Illustrated edition (April 22, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 64 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1846032539
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1846032530
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.24 x 0.21 x 9.83 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 27 ratings

About the author

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Stephen Turnbull

Stephen Turnbull

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Welcome to my Amazon page!

My name is Stephen Richard Turnbull. I have a lifelong interest in Japan, and I write books about military history and religious studies. Many are about Japan, but I also have an interest in European history and folk religion.

My latest samurai book is The Samurai Art of War as illustrated in Hojo Godai ki. It contains all 90 pictures from the 1659 edition of the great samurai classic.

Just published too is The Onin War, the first authoritative military history of the important turning point in Japanese history

I have been interested in Japan for over fifty years. I took my first degree at Cambridge and have two MAs (in Theology and Military History) from Leeds University. In 1996 I received a PhD from Leeds for my thesis on Japan’s Kakure Kirishitan, the ‘Hidden Christians’ whose brave ancestors were persecuted. In its published form the work won the Japan Festival Literary Award in 1998.

Having lectured in East Asian Studies and Theology I am now retired with the nice titles of Honorary Lecturer at Leeds, Research Associate at SOAS and Visiting Professor of Japanese Studies at Akita International University. I have published 86 books and many journal articles.

My expertise was put to use in helping design the award-winning computer strategy game Shogun Total War.

You can contact me via my website at www,stephenturnbull.com.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
27 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Culver
5.0 out of 5 stars japanese castles
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book is very good in that its auther has been there and taken some of the photos there. He tells all that he had found and tells the location of the monuments. Outstanding .
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E.T.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2015
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No further comment.
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Dallin Scott Vance
4.0 out of 5 stars Super fast shipping
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2014
Verified Purchase
It came way fast so that was great just wished they had shown me more of the book inside so I could get a picture of what I was getting.
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oldwolf
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2015
Verified Purchase
very nice
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SP
2.0 out of 5 stars architecture?
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
I was hoping to learn about the architecture of Castles. Korean built castles were made of stone and all others were made of wood - got it.
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lordhoot
4.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to early Japanese castles
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2008
Stephen Turnbull's Japanese Castles AD 250-1540 is a follow up to his earlier work that covers the Japanese castles from 1540 to 1640. This short book proves to be a fine introduction to the gradual evolution of the development and design of classical Japanese castle that played an important part in all of their internal wars. The author goes all the way back to the early ancient Japan to the beginning of the Sengoku Period to trace this development.

The book comes well endowed with photos, drawings and illustrations that proves to be quite good. Many of the photos are taken in color and appears to be recently photographed. All are very helpful in aiding the author's narrative. Only major weakness I saw in this book was that there wasn't much diagrams on the basic design and layout of many of these castles as they developed over time. Still, since this book is an introductory format, I may be asking too much for any Osprey book to go into that much detail.

I truly hope that some day, Mr. Turnbull will actually write a real book on the Japanese castles since these Osprey books only touches the tip of the very large iceberg. Until then, this book will have to do. If you brought any or all of the author's previous Osprey fortress books on Japan, then getting this book would be a no-brainer. Its well written, superbly researched and easy to read. It does accomplished it purpose of introducing the reader to the basic history of Japanese castles during the period of 250-1540. Book come highly recommended for anyone interested in this subject matter.
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Top reviews from other countries

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judith amada
5.0 out of 5 stars Libro fácil de consumir
Reviewed in Spain on October 19, 2023
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Esta muy bien escrito, redactado y con las ilustraciones justos y necesarios
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Andi
5.0 out of 5 stars Gutes buch
Reviewed in Germany on March 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
Ja is zwar auf Englisch aber des macht nix Wer was über Japanische Festungs Architäktur leren will is damit gut beraten
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Galland5
5.0 out of 5 stars Japanese castles AD 250 - 1540
Reviewed in Italy on September 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
Come sempre Turnbull scrive in maniera tale da coinvolgere il lettore. Di sicuro capire le sue spiegazioni sul metodo di costruzione di queste difese - per lo piú in legno - richiedono una certa attenzione da parte del lettore!
Galland5:-):-):-):-):-):-):-)
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