Kawanakajima 1553–64: Samurai Power Struggle

Osprey Campaign #130

by Stephen Turnbull, Wayne Reynolds (Illustrator)

Kawanakajima is unique in history. In the space of 12 years, between 1553 and 1564, this valley deep in the mountains of central Japan witnessed no fewer than five battles between two of Japan's greatest warlords. Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin were both descended from great families and were highly skilled tacticians. Both had taken the tonsure and risen to high rank in their respective Buddhist sects. When Shingen attempted to seize control of Shinano province they were set on a collision course. Stephen Turnbull chronicles the see-saw struggle between two men who epitomize the warrior daimyo from Japan's 'Warring States' period.

Genres: History, Japan, Military History, Japanese History, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2003

About the author

Stephen 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.

Reviews

[Rindis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Five Battles of Kawanakajima are not that well known in the West, but they are one of the most celebrated incidents of the Warring States period in Japan (right behind those parts that are better known in the West, such as Nobunaga's career and the Battle of Nagashino that forms the climax of Ran).

Turnbull starts with the most basic rundown of the situation, including the fact that while all the battles occurred near the plain of Kawanakajima, most of them could properly be termed something else entirely, and that you could count eight battles of Kawanakajima, by including three more that fit the pattern of the other five. But, most Japanese histories consider the same five battles between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin as 'the battles of Kawanakajima', and this book focuses on them, and especially the Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima as the main confrontation.

As usual with Osprey's Campaign series, the background and events are well presented, with plenty of clear maps that show what was happening. Turnbull's analysis is good, and only occasionally breaks down under the weight of the number of different things to keep track of. A very good book for anyone who has an interest in Japanese military history.

[Quí Hiển · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuốn Nagashino được 5 sao thì cuốn này chỉ được 3 sao thoy. Phần đầu tiên Turnbull viết giới thiệu rất hấp dẫn nhưng sau đó là tới phần Takeda Shingen bắt đầu đánh chiếm Shinano và trận Kawanakajima 1 2 3 thì theo cảm giác mình là khá lê thê (rất có thể do bản chất 3 trận này nó như vậy), mình đọc khá buồn ngủ và không vào. Trận 4 là trọng tâm cuốn sách và climax thì tới 2/3 cuốn sách mới bắt đầu. Quả thực lần này Turnbull đã trở lại với phong cách của cuốn Nagashino và đây là phần tuyệt hay của cuốn sách. Miêu tả rõ ràng, hình ảnh, sơ đồ, bàn chiến thuật, trích dẫn Koyo Gunkan đầy đủ và hấp dẫn.

Phần trận 5, "trận 6" và aftermath sau đó cũng khá ổn. Đặc biệt Turnbull có một phần giải thích ngắn vì sao Kawanakajima lại là một chủ đề hay được thần thoại hóa trong ukiyo-e: đơn giản là vì chủ đề này không bị nhà tướng quân kiểm duyệt.

[Manolo González · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antoher great book from Turnbull, it not only tells you about the battle, he even writes about going into the actual battlefield and explains in detail, that is what I was looking for.

[R3grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly a bit of a challenge to read when compared to other Turnbull books. Kawanakajima was spread into 5 or 6 different engagements between Kenshin and Shingen. There are a lot of Japanese generals, soldiers, castles, map locations, and record keepers to keep track of. The maps are intuitive but are double page so they get that annoying fold in the middle that makes it difficult to get the full picture of what is happening. There are some beautiful photo's of wood paintings that take account of the Kenshin/Shingen rivalry. Some of them large enough to appreciate but some of them too small.

Buy the book.

[John Somers · Rating 4 out of 5]

17/20.