The Samurai Capture a King - Okinawa 1609

A brilliant but little-known operation, the Shimazu clan raid on the independent kingdom of Ryukyu (modern Okinawa) in 1609 is one of the most extraordinary episodes in samurai history and the culmination of centuries of rivalry between the two powers. The defeat of the Shimazu at Sekigahara in 1600, and their need to win favour with the new Shogun, led them to hatch an audacious plot to attack the islands on the Shogun''s behalf and bring back the king of Ryukyu as a hostage. Stephen Turnbull gives a blow-by-blow account of the operation, from the daring Shimazu amphibious landing, to their rapid advance overland, and the tactical feigned retreat that saw the Shimazu defeat the Okinawan army and kidnap their king in spectacular fashion. With a detailed background and specially commissioned artwork, the scene is set for a dramatic retelling of this fascinating raid.>

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.Richard Hook was born in 1938 and trained at Reigate College of Art. After national service with 1st Bn, Queen's Royal Regiment he became art editor of the much-praised magazine Finding Out during the 1960s. He earned an international reputation particularly for his deep knowledge of Native American material culture; and illustrated more than 30 Osprey titles. Richard's three children Adam, Jason, and Christa are all professionally active in various artistic disciplines. He died in 2010.Donato Spedaliere was born in Switzerland and moved to Italy. He served as a paratrooper in the
Italian Army and studied at Belle Arti in Florence. As a 2D artist, he is a professional illustrator for
publishers and museums; as a 3D artist he has worked on complex projects with archaeologists,
architects and military institutions. He can be contacted at: [e-mail].

Product details

• Authors: Stephen Turnbull, Turnbull Stephen
• Assisted by: Richard Hook (Illustration), Mariusz Kozik (Illustration), Kozik Mariusz (Illustration), Donato Spedaliere (Illustration)
• Publisher: Osprey Publishers
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 10.11.2009
• EAN: 9781846034428
• ISBN: 978-1-84603-442-8
• No. of pages: 64
• Dimensions: 178 mm x 246 mm x 10 mm
• Series: Raid; Raid
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; HISTORY / Military / General, HISTORY / Military / Wars & Conflicts (Other), HISTORY / Asia / Japan, Warfare & defence, 17th century, c 1600 to c 1699, Asian History, Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700, 16th century, c 1500 to c 1599, Early modern warfare (including gunpowder warfare), War and defence operations, HISTORY / Military / Early Modern Warfare (1500-1800)