THE SHOGUN'S SOLDIERS: Volume 1 - The Daily Life of Samurai and Soldiers in Edo Period Japan, 1603-1721

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Tokugawa Ieyasu's decisive victory at Sekigahara in 1600 concluded the civil wars, confirmed his position of military supremacy as shogun (generalissimo) of Japan, and inaugurated the Edo period (1600-1868), so named because Ieyasu after the battle established his capital in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Covers military and civilian uniforms and dress, weaponry, social life, and the positions and responsibilities of samurai of all levels within Japanese society. Includes 137 b/w ills, 2 b/w photos, 26 color ills, 97 color photos, 2 maps, and 15 tables.

Describes the organization, arms, armor, dress, and daily life of samurai, soldiers, and commoners in Edo-period Japan. Occasionally, the shogunate military had to intervene, mostly against bandits but also during more serious military incidents, including conspiracies against the shogunate. Moreover, the shogun's soldiers had to assume a major role in law enforcement and firefighting. The focus of the present book is a military and social history of how the formerly so powerful Tokugawa clan army rapidly lost its combat preparedness, and how this persuaded the Tokugawa shogunate to initiate a policy of enforced seclusion.?

After 1615, the shogun's soldiers were no longer needed for war. Technically, there was no demobilization. However, with no more wars to fight, the shogun's soldiers in all but name became townsmen. They retained samurai status but were no longer called up to fight. Yet, a Tokugawa army of sorts still existed.