Links
Here are some of the many resources available online, from Dagohir related websites to in-depth historical texts on Japanese history. We draw from a vast amount of sources for information on the site and for the purposes of more effectively re-creating elements of feudal Japanese history, from fighting techniques and armor to musical instruments, atmosphere, and apparel.
Dagorhir-Related Links:
The Dagorhir National Website - Good info for newcomers, also contains the most recent national rulebook..
The Regional Aratari Website - In-depth regional info for the MD/DC/VA area, including active units.
The Dagohir Bulletin Boards - Get talking about dagorhir.
More information about feudal Japan :
The Samurai Archives - A great place to start looking for general information about feudal samurai culture and history.
Sengoku Daimyo - Anthony J. Bryant's website. Contains step-by-step instructions for building period armor, assembling period costumes, speaking medieval Japanese, and just about anything else samurai you can think of. A must for anyone remotely interested in samurai armor.
Historical Institute of the University of Tokyo - A magnificent site containing a large number of primary source documents from medieval Japan.
The Costume Museum - Japanese clothing museum detailing parts of virtually every imaginable medieval outfit possible
Bokunan-Do - Massive (if somewhat overpriced) supplier of authentic period clothing and accessories straight from Japan.
References currently in the Taizen library:
Bryant, Anthony J. Early Samurai: AD 200-1500. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 1991.
Bryant, Anthony J. Samurai: AD 1550-1600. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 1994.
Bryant, Anthony J. Sekigahara 1600. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 1995.
Cleary, Thomas. Code of the Samurai. Vermont: Tuttle Publishing, 1999.
Cleary, Thomas. The Japanese Art of War: Understanding the Culture of Strategy. Boston: Shambala Publications, Inc., 1991.
Herrigel, Eugen. Zen in the Art of Archery. New York: Vintage Books, Inc., 1999.
Knutsen, Roald. Japanese Spears: Polearms and their Use in Old Japan. Dorset. Global Oriental Publishers ltd, 2004.
Kokichi, Katsu. Musui's Story: The Autobiography of a Tokugawa Samurai. Tuscon: The University of Arizona Press, 1988.
Musashi, Miyamoto. The Book of Five Rings. Tokyo: Kodansha International ltd, 2002.
Niotbe, Inazo. Bushido: The Soul of Japan. Boston: Charles E. Tuttle Publishing co., Inc., 1969
Ratti, Oscar and Westbrook, Adele. Secrets of the Samurai. New Jersey: Castle Books, 1973
Sato, Hiroaki. Legends of the Samurai. Woodstock: The Overlook Press, 1995.
Shirokauer, Conrad et al. A Brief History of Chinese and Japanese Civilizations (3rd edition). Boston: Wadsworth Publishing, 2006.
Skoss, Diane. Koryu Bujutsu: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan. Berkely Heights: Koryu Books, 1997.
Skoss, Diane. Sword & Spirit: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan (Volume 2). Berkely Heights: Koryu Books, 1999.
Stanley-Baker, Joan. Japanese Art (Revised and Expanded). Thames & Hudson, 2000.
Statler, Oliver. Japanese Inn. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1961.
Sullivan, Michael. The Arts of China (Fourth Edition). Berkely: University of California Press, 1999.
System, Ark. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Japanese Family Crests. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Takuan, Soho. The Unfettered Mind. Tokyo: Kodansha International ltd, 1986.
Tanaka, Fumon. Samurai Fighting Arts: The Spirit and Practice. Tokyo: Kodansha International ltd, 2003.
Turnbull, Stephen. Ashigaru 1467-1649. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2001.
Turnbull, Stephen. Fighting Ships of the Far East (2). Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2003.
Turnbull, Stephen. Japanese Castles: 1540-1640. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2003.
Turnbull, Stephen. Japanese Fortified Temples and Monasteries: AD 710-1602. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2005.
Turnbull, Stephen. Japanese Warrior Monks: AD 949-1603. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2003.
Turnbull, Stephen. Kawanakajima 1553-64: Samurai Power Struggle. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2003.
Turnbull, Stephen. Nagashino 1575: Slaughter at the Barricades. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2000.
Turnbull, Stephen. Ninja: AD1460-1650. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2003.
Turnbull, Stephen. Osaka 1614-15: The Last Samurai Battle. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2003.
Turnbull, Stephen. Samurai Commanders (1): 940-1576. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2005.
Turnbull, Stephen. Samurai Commanders (2): 1577-1638. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2005.
Turnbull, Stephen. Samurai Heraldry. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, ltd, 2002.
Tokitsu, Kenji. Miyamoto Musashi: His Life and Writings. Boston: Shambala Publications, Inc., 2004.
Wilson, William Scott. Ideals of the Samurai: Writings of Japanese Warriors. Ohara Publications, Inc., 1982.
Wilson, William Scott. The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi. Ohara Publications, Inc., 1982.
Yagyu, Munemori. The Life-Giving Sword. Tokyo: Kodansha International ltd, 2003.
Yamamoto, Tsunetomo. Hagakure. Tokyo: Kodansha International ltd, 1979.
Yumoto, John M. The Samurai Sword: A Handbook. Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, Inc., 1958.
Yumoto, John M. The Samurai Sword: A Handbook. Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, Inc., 1958.
Yuzan, Daidoji. The Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu of Tiara Shigesuke. Boston: Charles E. Tuttle Publishing co., Inc., 1999.