"Samurai Lectures by Turnbull Kenesaw GA." Topic

Lectures on Samurai
By Dr. Stephen Turnbull
OCTOBER 17, 2013
ROOM: SOCIAL SCIENCES BUILDING 1021, KSU

Lectures are free and open to the public.

12:30-2:00PM: Behind the Mask:
The Mysterious Samurai
For many people their introduction to the samurai –
Japan's hereditary warrior class – happens when they visit
a museum and see a suit of Japanese armour. It often
looks like a very ornate beetle, and one of the most interesting parts is the face mask with its grinning teeth and
horse-hair moustaches. This item often provokes a common question, ‘Why would anyone want to fight in this?'
In this talk Dr. Turnbull will go ‘behind the mask' to examine the truth about these legendary warriors.

6:30-7:45PM: The Japanese ‘Wild
Geese': The Recruitment, Roles
and Reputation ofJapanese Mercenaries in Southeast Asia, 1593-1688.
For almost a hundred years, Japanese fighting men were
employed across a wide area of Southeast Asia as mercenaries in the service of the kings of Siam, Cambodia, Arakan, Spain and Portugal and for the directors of the Dutch
East India Company. They were used in dramatic assault
parties, as staunch garrisons and as willing executioners.
Dr. Turnbull will examine activities of the Japanese "wild
geese" (a colloquial term for mercenaries) within the context of the 16th- and 17th -century world.

Dr. Stephen Turnbull is one of the world's greatest experts on
samurai warfare and culture. A prolific writer whose publications include 71 academic and popular books as well as numerous journal articles, Dr. Turnbull is a recipient of the Canon Prize of the British Association for Japanese Studies and a
Japan Festival Literary Award. Now retired from full-time
teaching, Dr. Turnbull is a Research Associate at the School
of Oriental and African Studies at University of London, an
Honorary Lecturer at Leeds University, and a Visiting Professor of Japanese Studies at Akita International University.
His expertise was also put to use in helping design the strategy game Shogun Total War, and in 2010 he acted as Historical Adviser to Universal Pictures for the forthcoming movie
47 Roninstarring Keanu Reeves.

For more information,
Contact Dr, Masako Racel
(770) 423-6715

Link to Flyer: link

Sorry this is so late in being posted, personal issue had me busy and I just finally got a chance to get this out here. If you have questions, PM me or leave a note here.

Thanks,

Jeff

Thanks for the notice, I don't live too far away and this looks like its worth the drive. Will he do any Q & A?

Gattamalata,

My wife tells me that all the lectures for the year of Japan project will be taped, edited and made available free online by Kennesaw State University at some point int he future, but she is not sure of the timeline on that. I will try and let everyone her know when that happens.

DeHewes,

Yes, there is supposed to be a Q & A after the lectures. Not sure how long they will last, but it is supposed to happen.

Jeff

The other important Question is will Dr. Turnbull sign books, but I have not gotten clarification on that question yet. Hopefully soon (must make wife write email . . . . . not the first time I have asked).

Jeff

I don't want to hijack this thread, but are there many historical gamers at KSU? We have a Historical Miniature Game Day coming up on Saturday, Nov 2, and would love to contact any gaming group there.
Thanks,
Mark

I'm not sure if there is a historical group there or not Microbiggie. The main reason Turnbull is coming is that I like Samurai history and influenced those making the decisions on who was invited. I have a couple degrees from KSU, one in history, and since my wife is staff and one of the coordinators, I sort of led them to invite him and he surprisingly accepted the invitation.

When some other faculty from GSU heard he was coming they were all excited because he is a big name in Asian history and they wanted to meet him and are encouraging their students to attend. My wife is also asking her Japanese history students and world history students to attend.

What's the scope on your event? I mentioned it to my wife and she may be able to get permission for you to put out some flyers about the event at the lectures, but needs to clarify that first with the other event staff. If you could get the information about the lectures to your historical gaming friends, we would appreciate it.

Jeff

We are running an all day gaming event-3 sessions, 9 plus games. No Asian history oriented games at all though.
The TMP link:

TMP link
Its free and we have everything needed. Food and drinks right at the site-Giga Bites Cafe
We are really trying to get the word out for our group's event (and happy to have new people join us anytime) and would certainly put this link on our main yahoo group site.
Secsat gaming group
link
Any help is most appreciated.
Mark

Got it Mark, I thought it was at Giga Bites. I'll let you know what my wife comes back and tells me. This is on her list of things I need to know about right behind whether Turnbull will autograph books.

Jeff

I got an update on autographs. Turnbull said he will be happy to sign any of his books or other items fans may want to bring. Depending on the weight and travel limitations he may also have some publications with him for sale, but I don't know what those will be.

Mark,

If some of your group are coming to the Lectures, feel free to bring some flyers / handouts. There should be a table set up by the door with such items and you are welcome to add flyers for the convention to that table if you wish.

Jeff