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Hired Swords

The Rise of Private Warrior Power in Early Japan
Karl F. Friday
April 1992
284 Pages
Paperback ISBN: 9780804726962
Ebook ISBN: 9780804765855
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Due to a work stoppage involving our parcel delivery service in Canada, we are not able to process orders for hardcover or paperback books destined for Canadian addresses at this time. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience; we will restore Canadian purchasing absolutely as soon as we are able. Ebooks are not affected, and can still be ordered and delivered to all customers with valid email addresses.

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Tracing the evolution of state military institutions from the seventh to the twelfth centuries, this book challenges much of the received wisdom of Western scholarship on the origins and early development of warriors in Japan.

"A long overdue revision of court-warrior relationships from the seventh through twelfth centuries. . . . Friday's book has significantly altered the way Western scholars will view the history of early Japan."—Journal of Asian Studies

"Friday raises issues that all teachers and scholars must take into account."—American Historical Review

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