Samurai Resource (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

I do not collect Samurai (not yet anyway) but have been intrigued by all the discussion and excitement about the various Samurai toy soldiers on the market. I was in Barnes & Noble today and was surprised to see how many books they had on the topic from a wide variety of angles. There were, of course a number of Osprey titles many of them written by Stephen Turnbull of Leeds University. Wanting to learn more about this subject I found a nice illustrated introductory survey book on sale for $14.98 entitled Weapons & Fighting Techniques of the Samurai Warrior 1200-1877 (Metro books 2008) By Thomas Conlan.

Chapter Topics:
1. Mounted Samurai
2. The Skirmishers
3. The Pikemen
4. Commanders
5. Firearms
6. Cannon and Artillery
7. Glossary and Bibliography

An added incentive for me to purchase the book was that it's author is a Professor of Asian Studies at Bowdoin College my alma mater (1967). I do not know him personally (he came after my time) but plan to contact him and tell him about the forum and the interest in the topic among toy soldier collectors and invite him to participate if he is interested. Below is the cover of his book and a link to his web page:

http://www.bowdoin.edu/faculty/t/tconlan/

 

[Njja]

Yes there are wonderful books out on the subject........now if I can just get

my hands on an original sword!

 

[Aleš]

Yes i think Samurai very fascinating too!!!
I like movie "The last Samurai" and i think it must be very nice figures with this horns,hemlets,swords,flags,...so can anyone tell me which company produce Samurai Fiures so that i can buy some of that figures?Where can i buy?Is any website i can look?

 

[blaster]

Hi ales,

try these websites
http://www.firstlegionltd.com/54mmSamurai.aspx
http://www.eastofindia.com/

rgds Blaster

 

[PolarBear]

Also Del Prado and Monarch Regalia

http://www.delpradousa.com/delPrado_series_5SAM.html

http://www.tedtoy.com/monarch_samurai.htm

 

[Aleš]

Thank you all!!!
Beautyfull figures and sets!!
Hm,now is just need to get the monney haha....

 

[Njja]

There are quite a few interesting books available on Samurai,

"The Lone Samurai" The Life of Miyamoto Musashi is one of the finest.

Miyamoto Musashi was never defeated in battle, and you will be impressed

with his superior mental attitude. After this, you can read about their sword

making methods and you will be hooked!

Here is a small group of my Samurai Figures:

 

[PolarBear]

Thanks for posting samples from your collection and the book reference.

Randy

 

[Aleš]

Yes the SAMURAI.I wonder who is not "hooked" by their apearence(horns,swords,bravery,...)and their way of living(meditation,loyalty to their believes,bravery,...),and there was also ninjas,geishas,...everything very interesting.I just like this movie "The Last Samurai",and how "they almost win" i remmember i was all in the movie and hoping maybe they will win but they didnt
So we all agree that the Samurai are quite a caracters and now we have toy soldiers figures that we can make our own scene,batles,...so we are the directors of a movie.But there is also a lot of book,movies,...based on a Samurais.So can you tell me which movie i must seen.I have only The last Samurai and Kurusawa's KAGEMUSHA,and i hear that is also great movie 7 Samurai,Ran.So what else?
I need to get a list and than try to find al that movies on dvd.And if anyone know where to buy a real samurai sword for the wall.I think it is called Katana?
But not to expensive haha because i know that some of this sword have very expensive price because they are special made and everything.Well i am not interested in expensive ones.Hm,i think i will decorate a room in my house based on Samurai look.Maybe we even join our forces and open a SAMURAI MUSEUM,where we can display samurai figures,make dioramas and show same historical batles,show samurai swords,hemlets,armor,...also show samurai Movies,....i am sure people will like that and we can collect entrence.WHO IS WITH ME

 

[PolarBear]

I contacted Professor Conlan and he has made a generous offer to answer questions by email from forum members about the Samurai and warfare in pre-Meiji Japan.

Here is his email address:

E-Mail tconlan@bowdoin.edu

And here is a link to an interview with him about his books including Weapons & Fighting Techniques of the Samurai Warrior 1200-1877

http://shogun-yashiki.blogspot.com/search/label/Thomas Conlan

 

[theBaron]

I saw the thread title, and I expected to see someone running around in a bathrobe and topknot, a la John Belushi

"And now, another episode of...'Samurai Resource' "