"Samurai and Imjin War Lecture Reading List" Topic

As promised at DunDraCon XXXVIII, here is the short reading list from my lectures on the evolution of Japanese arms, armor and warfare and the Imjin War 1592-98 now post on my blog:

link

The list is by no means exhaustive, but is meant to serve as an entry point to those interested in learning about this fascinating period.

Enjoy!

Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net

Thank you!

Too bad works such as 經略復國要編,朝鮮王朝實錄 or 明實錄 remain untranslated.

Though even I have difficulty reading Classical Chinese.

Gad, I've read most of those already…

Do you have a link to the criticism? I have heard a fair few complaints about Turnbull. It does seem however that his books on Samurai are the easiest to get hold of and greatest in number. At least in english.

Dr. Turnbull's books are currently the easiest and most accessible on the subject. Regarding the criticisms leveled at his work outside of the snark I've found from a handful of people hiding behind the anonymity of forum screen names, I am still waiting for a credible criticism /rebuttal of Turnbull's body of work that does so in a scholarly fashion including source citations.

Accusing an academic of plagiarism is a serious charge and not one to be made lightly. Doing so without ponying up solid proof up front merely smacks of trolling at best, character assassination at the worst.

I thought I made it clear on my blog post that the list was by no means exhaustive, but is as I stated in the actual lectures, a starting point for those interested in the subject matter.

A starting point means precisely that.

I suspect no one here can deny that there's a definite lack of English language translations of primary source materials on these subjects. Until someone else with some scholarly credentials and bilingual competency steps up to fill the void, Turnbull's considerable body of work will be what most English speakers will have to fall back on for an introduction to the subject of the samurai, their arms, armor, and way if war.

Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net

It really doesn't help that most of the records, particularly of the earliest Samurai conflicts, are written in classical Chinese. *headdesk*

Who accused him of plagiarism?

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Like I said, lots of chatter from behind the anonymity of forum screen names, but no substance conclusively demonstrating plagiarism let alone runaway poor scholarship.

Adolphson takes him to task for his uncritical acceptance of the "sohei" image, the creation of a later age.

And when I get around to Adolphson's critiques, I'll evaluate them accordingly.

While you're reading Teeth and Claws of the Buddha you might want to look at the Seven Tengu Scrolls recently translated by Wakabayashi as it relates to "akuto".

I'll add it to my reading list, as I am by trade a trained researcher, and I am always on the lookout for more information on this subject matter.

Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net

OK, gang, I've expanded the book list a bit to include Anthony Bryant's titles for Osprey as well, and it looks like our has been dealt with by the TMP Editorial Team.

The bottom line is that until we have more sources on the subject from other authors with competency in translating primary references, Turnbull is going to remain our first line of information available in the English language. As the few criticisms of his work to date do not demonstrably overturn his body of work, IMHO withholding judgement on Dr. Turnbull's scholarship is the prudent course of action, and his works can be taken with a reasonable degree of seriousness and scholarly due caution as tertiary source materials.

Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net

William Wayne Farris
Heavenly Warriors: the Evolution of Japanese Military. 500-1300

Karl Friday
Hired Swords: the Rise of Private Warrior Power in Early Japan

Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Modern Japan

…are just a very few of the accessible, first-rate works available to people wanting to rise above the brochure level. Turnbull and Osprey are great, fun introductions to the subject. But they remain introductions.

Consider looking up Varley's translation of the Onin War and his intelligent overview of the gunkimono. The late Jeffrey Maas is yet another essential scholar on the subject.

All in translation.

Nice. Tagged the lot of 'em for my reading stack for 2014. I have a translation of The Tales of Genji in storage, but I cannot for the life of me recall who the translator was…

As I stated plainly before, my list is aimed at those who want to get started, especially wargamers new to the period. If it serves that purpose for a few new to the subject as I was circa 35 years ago, then I have succeeded in my effort (and they've a helluvalot more readily available sources today than I was able to scare up 35 years ago!).

Leland R. Erickson
Metal Express
metal-express.net