History of the Ashigaru Peasant Foot Soldiers of Premodern Japan

Ashigaru (peasant foot soldiers) were the main backbone of Samurai armies during the Sengoku Jidai, the real height of Samurai warfare. In this video we examine the origins and rise of peasant foot soldiers in premodern Japan. This video is done in collaboration with Samurai and Ninja History and Sengoku Studies戦国研究 Check out their Japanese peasant videos Samurai and Ninja History: Sengoku Studies戦国研究: Sources Used: Samurai Weapons and Fighting Techniques by Thomas Conlan State of War by Thomas Conlan A History of the Samurai by Jonathan LópezVera Hideyoshi by Mary Elizabeth Berry Samurai Battles by Michael Sharpe Warriors of Medieval Japan quot