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Osprey Warrior #29
Ashigaru 1467–1649
The ashigaru were the foot soldiers of old Japan. Although recruited first to swell an army's numbers and paid only by loot, the samurai began to realise their worth, particularly with arquebuses and spears, until well-trained ashigaru made up a vital part of any samurai army. This book tells the story of the ashigaru for the first time, their origins, recruitment training and use in various wars, such as the Gempei Wars of 1180-1185 and the Onin War of 1467-1477. Stephen Turnbull draws on previously untranslated Japanese sources and unpublished illustrations that show the range of ashigaru activity, from sailors to catapult artillery men as well as the disciplined ranks of warriors that they had become.
64 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2001
About the author
Stephen Turnbull
146 books127 followersStephen Richard Turnbull is British a historian specializing in eastern military history, especially the samurai of Japan. His books are mainly on Japanese and Mongolian subjects. He attended Cambridge University where he gained his first degree. He currently holds an MA in Theology, MA in Military History and a PhD from the University of Leeds where he is currently a lecturer in Far Eastern Religions. He has also written a number of books on other medieval topics. He is semi-retired but still holds the post of Visiting Professor of Japanese Studies at Akita International University in Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 21, 2025
ASHIGARU 1467-1649 is another of Stephen Turnbull's works on Japan. It goes hand in hand with his other books, though there is naturally some repetition.
In the 7th century the Japanese emperor Tenmu attempted to raise a national army of conscripted soldiers. As it turned out, he was unsuccessful. Later emperors found they had to rely on the landowning classes to provide troops for defense of the realm. Unfortunately, they eventually began fighting amongst themselves over the centuries for the power to rule Japan, in the emperor's name of course. This warfare gave rise to the samurai, or warrior class.
The ashigaru were the common footsoldiers, and cannon fodder as well. But they were more than that. Some were part time farmers who tilled the fields but were ready to answer the call when needed. Not all ashigaru were fighters, though they were expected to lay down their life when needed, as in protecting their lord. Just about every one of them carried swords, but some had non-combat roles. If one was fortunate he might become the one to carry his lord's helmet, flag, spear, or even his sandals. Believe it or not, that was an important job. The straw sandals worn by the Japanese didn't last very long, and one sandal bearer endeared himself to his lord by carrying the extra sandals inside his jacket to keep them warm for his master. Some ranks of the ashigaru eventually became samurai due to their roles on the battlefield.
I should pause here to explain that throughout history there have been cases of the lowest commoner rising to some exalted position due to certain circumstances. Such was the case with one Hideyoshi. After rising from a peasant background to become one of the most powerful men in Japanese history, he first disarmed the peasants with his version of gun control (sword hunt) and then passed edicts that forever bound peasants to the land they toiled on for others. If a person at least happened to be an ashigaru, one could always hope.
The earliest ashigaru may have been nothing more than roughians following the army and then slipping away to loot. Later on, when the ashigaru were trained in their respective roles of spearmen, archers, and arquebusiers, looting was frowned upon. Why burn villages and fields when they belonged to an ally, or might be yours tomorrow?
Even though firearms were in constant use, and a real war winner, there was still the need for archers, who fired while the gunners were reloading, and the spearmen who excelled when the enemy was upon you. With luck, a spearman might take a prominent head or capture a flag and thus win a small piece of land.
It seems chopsticks were used for more than just eating. They were recommended for extracting arrowheads.
If one were bitten by an adder, one must not get excited but rather quickly pour gunpowder on the bite and ignite it. Getting excited or delaying treatment would be fatal.
Like other books by the author, this was very interesting.
In the 7th century the Japanese emperor Tenmu attempted to raise a national army of conscripted soldiers. As it turned out, he was unsuccessful. Later emperors found they had to rely on the landowning classes to provide troops for defense of the realm. Unfortunately, they eventually began fighting amongst themselves over the centuries for the power to rule Japan, in the emperor's name of course. This warfare gave rise to the samurai, or warrior class.
The ashigaru were the common footsoldiers, and cannon fodder as well. But they were more than that. Some were part time farmers who tilled the fields but were ready to answer the call when needed. Not all ashigaru were fighters, though they were expected to lay down their life when needed, as in protecting their lord. Just about every one of them carried swords, but some had non-combat roles. If one was fortunate he might become the one to carry his lord's helmet, flag, spear, or even his sandals. Believe it or not, that was an important job. The straw sandals worn by the Japanese didn't last very long, and one sandal bearer endeared himself to his lord by carrying the extra sandals inside his jacket to keep them warm for his master. Some ranks of the ashigaru eventually became samurai due to their roles on the battlefield.
I should pause here to explain that throughout history there have been cases of the lowest commoner rising to some exalted position due to certain circumstances. Such was the case with one Hideyoshi. After rising from a peasant background to become one of the most powerful men in Japanese history, he first disarmed the peasants with his version of gun control (sword hunt) and then passed edicts that forever bound peasants to the land they toiled on for others. If a person at least happened to be an ashigaru, one could always hope.
The earliest ashigaru may have been nothing more than roughians following the army and then slipping away to loot. Later on, when the ashigaru were trained in their respective roles of spearmen, archers, and arquebusiers, looting was frowned upon. Why burn villages and fields when they belonged to an ally, or might be yours tomorrow?
Even though firearms were in constant use, and a real war winner, there was still the need for archers, who fired while the gunners were reloading, and the spearmen who excelled when the enemy was upon you. With luck, a spearman might take a prominent head or capture a flag and thus win a small piece of land.
It seems chopsticks were used for more than just eating. They were recommended for extracting arrowheads.
If one were bitten by an adder, one must not get excited but rather quickly pour gunpowder on the bite and ignite it. Getting excited or delaying treatment would be fatal.
Like other books by the author, this was very interesting.
January 15, 2026
Turnbull’s volume on “Ashigaru 1467-1649” covers a wide range of topics pertaining to the title unit, including evolutions in how they were recruited, trained, and fought. Additionally, he covers the ashigaru’s experience on campaign, in battle, and during peacetime resulting in a more holistic look at this group that really brings them to life.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews