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[Kaiser Arian XVII]

The only interesting thing about Medieval Japan is remaining unconquered by foreign invaders. Also it was culturally-religiously influenced by both Chinese Buddhism and (later) Confucianism. Excluding that the History of China is much more interesting. For example read this:

http://en.wikipedia....ki/Song_dynasty

 

I sometimes wonder how neutral is the English Wikipedia. For more details on subjects one should read books but those don't/aren't worth my time sadly.

[felipejiraya]

Yeah, anime's influenced me that much and reading historical manga... I mean, the Japanese are freaking brutal, which always makes for fun history. Who wants to look at our this dude learnt the secret to eternal youth when Politicians are slaughtering each other left right and centre?

 

The most I know is that they're split into eras. Is there any specific era filled with great strategists and political masterminds? There must be a specific website for these things anyway, if not, it's off to Wikipedia, but I'm sure there are better sources, including books.

 

The most turbulent times in feudal Japan are the Kenmu Restoration, Sengoku period and Bakumatsu.

 

As for books I recomend all the works of Karl Friday, "Feudalism in Japan" by Peter Duus, "Hideyoshi" by Mary Elizabeth Berry, "A History of Japan, 1334-1615" by George Samson, "Okubo Toshimichi: The Bismarck of Japan" by Masakazu Iwata an "The Collapse of the Tokugawa Bakufu, 1862-1868" by Conrad Totman.

[Fidite Nemini]

Feudal Japan is a looong history period you're looking at, starting in the 11th century going into the 1860ies.

 

What you're most likely interested in is the Sengoku Jidai ("period of the thousand lands"), going from early 15th century until roughly the year 1600 (the battle at Sekigahara and the consolidation of power under the Tokugawa shogunat usually marks the end of the Sengoku Jidai).

[Fidite Nemini]

wow, great responses, thanks!

 

How you pwnin' them nubs in Bf4 Fidite? ;-)

 

 

Good enough to get hackusations, not good enough to get banned from that last server when the badmin went berserk becaue of our K/Drs. I guess having only an average global K/Dr of 1.64 saved me there.

 

I also found out that I'm in love with the ACW-R for my aggressive Recon.

[Sir DeLoria]

Don't listen to Kaiser, China is interesting, but Japan is at least as interesting

To answer your question:

All medieval Japanese periods saw great masterminds of politics and warfare. Here's a list of the major periods:

Kamakura period: (1185-1333) Kamakura shogunate; transition into feudal era; rise of the warrior (samurai) class; two mongol invasions which were repelled mostly by tsunamis (kamikaze, the divine wind)

Muromachi period: (1336-1573) Ashikage shogunate; coalition of regional warlords; trade with Ming dynasty China

Sengoku period: (1467-1573) Civil wars; arrival of Portugese traders and other Europeans; introduction of firearms

Azuchi-Momoyama period: (1569-1603) Daimyo Oda Nobunaga almost unites Japan; finally united under Toyotomi Hideyoshi; invasion of Korea; two unsuccessful campaigns to conquer Ming China; return in 1598

Edo period: (1603–1868): Tokugawa Ieyasu seizes power and establishes the Tokugawa shogunate; central federation governement; administrated by over 200 daimyo; regulation of economy, religion and taxation; judiciary system; mostly peaceful era; complete seclusion from the outside world(Sakoku) until US intervention 1853

1868: Empire of Japan founded

[Senya]

Also, you should rid your mind of the "Samurai looked down on firearms" nonsense. Samurai were quite eager to use firearms themselves. The Tokugowa Shogunate simply banned firearms in the hands of peasants along with other weapons and, eventually, isolated Japan from foreign powers out of concern that foreign influences could undermine their rule/traditional Japanese culture.

[Evil]

A somewhat left-field suggestion:

 

Track down an English language copy of Hagakure.

 

 

It's a contemporary book from the Tokugawa era.

It's not really a story, or a history book though.

 

It might be useful though, if understanding that era's something that interests you.

[Sion1138]

Lots of backstabbing and war basically, some prejudice, some oppression and honor of course, lots of honor, and great etiquette, whether making tea or committing suicide.

[mybudgee]

Kamakura is my favorite era by far

[mybudgee]

"There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When caught in a sudden shower, you hide under the eaves of houses. You do such things as run quickly along the road and try not to get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed-- but you will still get the same soaking. This understanding applies to all things." - Tsunetomo Tomunobo

[Han Shot First]

Here is a pretty cool documentary on Miyamoto Musashi, probably the greatest warrior in Japanese history:

 

[Kaiser Arian XVII]

1200s Japan is my favorite, part of Kamakura period (1185–1333). The blossom of new Tendai Buddhism (Nichiren) and defeating the Mongols.

 

I also like 19th century Shinsengumi, thanks to Gintama!

There is a Shinsengumi movie too, starred by Toshiro Mifune!

 

[Senya]

Yeah that kind of hurt them in the long run, it put them in a position where America, Britain and others felt they could bully them and dictate trade agreements.

Very true. They were extremely lucky that they managed to modernize quick enough not to end up like China.

[Elhanan]

From a gaming perspective, there was a good AD&D book on the subject; likely also one for GURPS. These could make decent reference materials.

[Senya]

Shogun 2 has an excellent in-game encyclopedia for the Sengoku Jidai period too.

[mybudgee]

 

Sorry... couldn't resist

[Fidite Nemini]

^

 

Very good movie. Not historically accurate of course, but a very nice samurai themed movie!

[Senya]

Will have to buy that too.

 

To think that when it came out I put it off because "I don't like that era of history." Oh the hypocrisy of simfam never ceases to be.

Well, it should be cheaper now. I brought it and all the DLC except for Fall of the Samurai for under $50 when it was on sale at Gamersgate.

[mybudgee]

@Fidite: What is so phony about it? (other than the forest-spirit guy & the dynamite?)

 

0_o