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Osprey Elite #178
Hatamoto: Samurai Horse and Foot Guards 1540-1724
Osprey's elite series title for Japan's samurai horse and foot guards, from 1540 to 1724. Each great samurai warlord, or daimyo, had a 'household division' of troops, known as the Hatamoto - 'those who stand under the flag'. The Hatamoto included the personal bodyguards, both horse (uma mawari) and foot (kachi); the senior generals (bugyo), the standard bearers and color-guard, couriers, and other samurai under the warlord's personal command.
Apart from bodyguard and other duties in immediate attendance on the daimyo, both horse and foot guards often played crucial roles in battle - their intervention could turn defeat into victory, and their collapse meant final disaster. As favored fighting men under the warlord's eye, members of the bodyguards could hope for promotion, and some rose to be daimyo themselves.
All three great leaders of the 16-17th century - including Oda, Hideyoshi and Tokugawa - had their own elite corps. Such troops were naturally distinguished by dazzling apparel and heraldry, with banners both carried and attached to the back of the armor, all of which are detailed in an array of color artwork specially created for this publication.
Apart from bodyguard and other duties in immediate attendance on the daimyo, both horse and foot guards often played crucial roles in battle - their intervention could turn defeat into victory, and their collapse meant final disaster. As favored fighting men under the warlord's eye, members of the bodyguards could hope for promotion, and some rose to be daimyo themselves.
All three great leaders of the 16-17th century - including Oda, Hideyoshi and Tokugawa - had their own elite corps. Such troops were naturally distinguished by dazzling apparel and heraldry, with banners both carried and attached to the back of the armor, all of which are detailed in an array of color artwork specially created for this publication.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 9, 2025
After reading HATAMOTO SAMURAI HORSE AND FOOT GUARDS 1540-1724, as well as other titles by Stephen Turnbull, I am starting to understand Japanese history better now. To be honest, it was confusing to me being unfamiliar with names and places I can't even pronounce. But, the repetition helps.
It seems that the emperors and empresses once ruled in Japan. The Age of Warring States saw constant warfare as minor daimyos and their samurai fought for power. Their goal was to acquire land and power for themselves and family clans. In time the strongest ones sought control of all Japan, for the emperor of course, in the title of shogun. It wasn't until the war of 1868 that the central government, meaning the emperor, seized power and the ancient ways, meaning the daimyos and their samurai, faded away. Ironically, the memories of the ancient samurai and their deeds resurfaced to motivate Japanese military and civilians alike during World War II.
Like all those in power throughout history, the Japanese daimyos needed their bodyguards. These samurai were the most loyal of the loyal. They were referred to as the hatamoto, meaning 'beneath the flag,' for that was where they could be found. You see, when a daimyo was in the field with his army, his headquarters was very simple. They would erect this wall of curtains around the spot and the daimyo would sit on a simple folding stool. There might be a small table present for maps and such but everybody else sat on the ground. A painted curtain might not seem like much of a defensive barrier, but the real protection was a human one. The hatamoto, there beneath the daimyo's flag, would defend him. Such was their loyalty that they were trusted more than family!
A hatamoto were at times hereditary and they served for life. Sometimes new members were recruited after being noticed for their bravery, and once they gave their oath of fealty, that was that. One didn't break it. However, like those in power throughout history, daimyos couldn't always be counted on to be loyal. One switched sides in a critical battle. It was common practice to not only kill an enemy, but his entire family as well, so when this man's daughter was beheaded, along with some 83 other women, he remembered that and acted accordingly.
The hatamoto were treated well, as could be expected. There was the story of a feast where the daimyo entertained his hatamoto. There present were enemy heads that had been lacquered with gold paint. They were kept as trophies.
One samurai youth of 13, who was married to Nobunaga's daughter, proudly brought back a head after capturing his first castle. His father-in-law reprimanded him for being so reckless. There is a difference between that and being brave.
As a form of recognition in the field, samurai wore little flag poles attached to their back. The ones for the hatamoto were a lot more elaborate. Refer to the book cover.
This was a nice little piece of history well illustrated.
It seems that the emperors and empresses once ruled in Japan. The Age of Warring States saw constant warfare as minor daimyos and their samurai fought for power. Their goal was to acquire land and power for themselves and family clans. In time the strongest ones sought control of all Japan, for the emperor of course, in the title of shogun. It wasn't until the war of 1868 that the central government, meaning the emperor, seized power and the ancient ways, meaning the daimyos and their samurai, faded away. Ironically, the memories of the ancient samurai and their deeds resurfaced to motivate Japanese military and civilians alike during World War II.
Like all those in power throughout history, the Japanese daimyos needed their bodyguards. These samurai were the most loyal of the loyal. They were referred to as the hatamoto, meaning 'beneath the flag,' for that was where they could be found. You see, when a daimyo was in the field with his army, his headquarters was very simple. They would erect this wall of curtains around the spot and the daimyo would sit on a simple folding stool. There might be a small table present for maps and such but everybody else sat on the ground. A painted curtain might not seem like much of a defensive barrier, but the real protection was a human one. The hatamoto, there beneath the daimyo's flag, would defend him. Such was their loyalty that they were trusted more than family!
A hatamoto were at times hereditary and they served for life. Sometimes new members were recruited after being noticed for their bravery, and once they gave their oath of fealty, that was that. One didn't break it. However, like those in power throughout history, daimyos couldn't always be counted on to be loyal. One switched sides in a critical battle. It was common practice to not only kill an enemy, but his entire family as well, so when this man's daughter was beheaded, along with some 83 other women, he remembered that and acted accordingly.
The hatamoto were treated well, as could be expected. There was the story of a feast where the daimyo entertained his hatamoto. There present were enemy heads that had been lacquered with gold paint. They were kept as trophies.
One samurai youth of 13, who was married to Nobunaga's daughter, proudly brought back a head after capturing his first castle. His father-in-law reprimanded him for being so reckless. There is a difference between that and being brave.
As a form of recognition in the field, samurai wore little flag poles attached to their back. The ones for the hatamoto were a lot more elaborate. Refer to the book cover.
This was a nice little piece of history well illustrated.
August 24, 2017
Cuốn này mạch dẫn chuyện của Turnbull hơi chán nên tới giữa cuốn là mình hết muốn đọc nhưng cũng cố lết đến hết cuốn, chỗ hiểu chỗ không. Nhưng mà cho 3 sao vì phần nói về các đoàn hatamoto của Nobunaga cực kì hay, đặc biệt là hình minh họa samurai cưỡi ngựa đeo cánh, trời ơi!!!! Thật là đánh động tâm can fanboy cuồng nhiệt. Chú yari samurai tật như phong từ như lâm xâm lược như hỏa bất động như sơn cưới chú khinh kị hussar đeo cánh lao xuống từ đồi giải cứu thành Viên, đẻ ra chú mẫu y kị vệ đeo horo kèm cánh thật là cool ngầu!!!
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May 21, 2018
12/20.
March 8, 2022
Informational and a overall a great introduction to anyone interested on the subject of Hatamoto.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews