The Momoyama period of the second half of the 16th - early 17th centuries. was one of the most significant in the political, social and cultural life of Japan. At this time, the design of the military-feudal class of samurai ends. After the victory of Ieyasu Tokugawa over his enemies and the cessation of internecine wars, the Tokugawa shogunate developed, which could not but affect the position of the samurai. The book of S. Turnbull on excellent illustrative and factual material provides an opportunity to get acquainted with the weapons and tactics of the samurai armies of this period.