Lost Samurai: Japanese Mercenaries in South East Asia, 1593-1688

The Lost Samurai reveals the greatest untold story of Japan's legendary warrior class, who were employed as mercenaries in the service of the kings of Siam, Cambodia, Burma, Spain, and Portugal for almost a hundred years. A stereotypical image of the fierce Japanese warrior developed that had a profound influence on the way they were regarded by their employers, and if Japan had chosen engagement with Southeast Asia rather than isolation, it may have had a profound influence on the subsequent development of international relations.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 320 pages
\n Publication date: 02 March 2021
\n Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
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The Lost Samurai delves into the captivating untold tale of Japan's legendary warrior class, revealing a remarkable chapter in their history. For nearly a century, Japanese samurai found themselves serving as mercenaries in the employ of kings, sultans, and directors of prestigious organizations such as the Dutch East India Company. Their roles were diverse, encompassing daring assault parties, prestigious bodyguard duties, steadfast garrisons, and even as willing executioners. This extraordinary deployment of samurai shaped a stereotypical image of the fierce Japanese warrior, which had a profound impact on the way they were regarded by their employers.

While Southeast Asian kings tended to retain samurai on a long-term basis as palace guards, their European counterparts typically engaged them on a temporary basis for specific campaigns. Interestingly, while Southeast Asian monarchs placed their trust in well-established units of Japanese mercenaries, Europeans, while admiring them, also harbored a sense of fear. This fear manifested in various European examples, ranging from initial enthusiasm to growing suspicion that the Japanese might turn against them. A notable instance is the longstanding Spanish concern about a potential Japanese invasion of the Philippines, accompanied by a local uprising. This fear suggested that if Japan had chosen engagement with Southeast Asia rather than isolation in the 1630s, the established presence of Japanese communities overseas could have had a profound influence on the subsequent development of international relations within the region. It may even have paved the way for the early creation of an overseas Japanese empire, presenting a rival to Great Britain. However, Japan chose a different path, closing its doors and leaving these fierce mercenaries stranded in distant lands, never to return. Thus, the lost samurai truly embody a tale of untold adventure and missed opportunities.

\n Weight: 494g\n
Dimension: 164 x 243 x 23 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526758989\n \n