# Items samurai By [Geengeer](https://paragraph.com/@cryptohamsterz) · 2023-04-13 --- Weapons ------- 1890s photo showing a variety of armor and weapons typically used by samurai * [**Japanese swords**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_sword) are the weapons that have come to be synonymous with the samurai. [_Chokutō_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chokut%C5%8D), swords from the [Nara period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_period), featured a straight blade. By 900, curved [_tachi_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachi) appeared, and ultimately the [_katana_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana). Smaller commonly known companion swords are the [_wakizashi_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakizashi) and the [_tantō_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tant%C5%8D).[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-71) Wearing a long sword _(katana_ or _tachi)_ together with a smaller sword became the symbol of the samurai, and this combination of swords is referred to as a [_daishō_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daish%C5%8D) (literally "big and small"). During the Edo period only samurai were allowed to wear a _daisho_. A longer blade known as the [_nodachi_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cdachi) was also used in the fourteenth century, though primarily used by samurai on the ground.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-72) * The [**_yumi_**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yumi) (longbow), reflected in the art of [_kyūjutsu_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ky%C5%ABjutsu) (lit. the skill of the bow) was a major weapon of the Japanese military. Its usage declined with the introduction of the [_tanegashima_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanegashima_\(gun\)) (Japanese matchlock) during the [Sengoku period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sengoku_period), but the skill was still practiced at least for sport.[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-73) The _yumi_, an asymmetric [composite bow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_bow) made from [bamboo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo), [wood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood), [rattan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan) and [leather](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leather), had an effective range of 50 or 100 meters (160 or 330 feet) if accuracy was not an issue. On foot, it was usually used behind a [_tate_](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tate_\(shield\)) (手盾), a large, mobile wooden shield, but the _yumi_ could also be used from horseback because of its asymmetric shape. The practice of shooting from horseback became a Shinto ceremony known as [_yabusame_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yabusame) (流鏑馬).[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-74) * [**Pole weapons**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Samurai_pole_weapons) including the [_yari_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yari) (spear) and [_naginata_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naginata) were commonly used by the samurai. The _yari_ displaced the _naginata_ from the battlefield as personal bravery became less of a factor and battles became more organized around massed, inexpensive foot troops ([_ashigaru_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashigaru)).[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-75) A charge, mounted or dismounted, was also more effective when using a spear rather than a sword, as it offered better than even odds against a samurai using a sword. In the [Battle of Shizugatake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Shizugatake) where [Shibata Katsuie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibata_Katsuie) was defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, seven samurai who came to be known as the "[Seven Spears of Shizugatake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Spears_of_Shizugatake)" (賤ヶ岳七本槍) played a crucial role in the victory.[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-76) * [**_Tanegashima_**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanegashima_\(gun\)) were introduced to Japan in 1543 through Portuguese trade. _Tanegashima_ were produced on a large scale by Japanese gunsmiths, enabling warlords to raise and train armies from masses of peasants. The new weapons were highly effective; their ease of use and deadly effectiveness led to the _tanegashima_ becoming the weapon of choice over the _yumi_. By the end of the 16th century, there were more firearms in Japan than in many European nations. _Tanegashima_—employed _en masse_, largely by _ashigaru_ peasant foot troops—were responsible for a change in military tactics that eventually led to establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate and an end to civil war. Production of _tanegashima_ declined sharply as there was no need for massive amounts of firearms. During the Edo period, _tanegashima_ were stored away and used mainly for hunting and target practice. Foreign intervention in the 19th century renewed interest in firearms, but the _tanegashima_ was outdated by then, and various samurai factions purchased more modern firearms from European sources. * [**Cannon**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Samurai_cannons) became a common part of the samurai's armory by the 1570s. They often were mounted in castles or on ships, being used more as anti-personnel weapons than against castle walls or the like, though in the [siege of Nagashino castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Nagashino) (1575) a cannon was used to good effect against an enemy siege tower. The first popular cannon in Japan were swivel-breech loaders named _kunikuzushi_ or "province destroyers". _Kunikuzushi_ weighed 264 lb (120 kg) and used 40 lb (18 kg) chambers, firing a small shot of 10 oz (280 g). The [Arima clan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arima_clan) of Kyushu used cannon like this at the Battle of Okinawate against the [Ryūzōji clan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%ABz%C5%8Dji_clan). * [**Staff weapons**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Samurai_staff_weapons) of many shapes and sizes made from oak and other hard woods were used by the samurai, commonly known ones include the [_bō_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C5%8D), the [_jō_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8D), the [_hanbō_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanb%C5%8D), and the [_tanbō_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanb%C5%8D). * [**Clubs and truncheons**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Samurai_clubs_and_truncheons) made of iron or wood, of all shapes and sizes were used by the samurai. Some like the [_jutte_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jutte) were one-handed weapons, and others like the [_kanabō_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanab%C5%8D) were large two-handed weapons. * [**Chain weapons**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Samurai_chain_weapons), various weapons using chains were used during the samurai era, the [_kusarigama_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusarigama) and [_kusari-fundo_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusari-fundo) are examples. * Cross sections of Japanese sword lamination methods * Diagram of the [katana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana) sword * Samurai with various armor and weapons, c. 1802–1814 * Antique Japanese [tachi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachi) * Antique Japanese katana * Antique Japanese [wakizashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakizashi) * Reenactors with [Tanegashima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanegashima_\(Japanese_matchlock\)) at Himeji Castle Festival * Japanese arrow stand with a pair of [Yumi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yumi) bows. * The bow of the Kamakura period * The arrow of the Kamakura period * A [naginata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naginata) blade from the [Kamakura period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamakura_period) * Three [yari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yari) (Kagi yari, omi yari and su yari) mounted in koshirae Armor ----- _Main article:_ [_Japanese armour_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_armour) A mounted samurai with horse armour (uma yoroi or bagai) As far back as the seventh century Japanese warriors wore a form of [lamellar armor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamellar_armor), which evolved into the armor worn by the samurai.[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-turnbull1996-77) The first types of Japanese armor identified as samurai armor were known as [_ō-yoroi_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8C-yoroi) and [_dō-maru_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8D-maru). These early samurai armors were made from small individual scales known as _kozane_. The _kozane_ were made from either iron or leather and were bound together into small strips, and the strips were coated with lacquer to protect the _kozane_ from water. A series of strips of _kozane_ were then laced together with silk or leather lace and formed into a complete chest armor [(_dou or dō_)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8D_\(armour\)).[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-turnbull1996-77) A complete set of the _yoroi_ weighed 66 lbs.[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-78) In the 16th century a new type of armor started to become popular after the advent of firearms, new fighting tactics by increasing the scale of battles and the need for additional protection and high productivity. The _kozane dou_, which was made of small individual scales, was replaced by _itazane_, which had larger iron plate or platy leather joined together. _Itazane_ can also be said to replace a row of individual _kozanes_ with a single steel plate or platy leather. This new armor, which used _itazane_, was referred to as _tosei-gusoku_ (_gusoku_), or modern armor.[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-gusoku-79)[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-80)[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-81) The _gusoku_ armour added features and pieces of armor for the face, thigh, and back. The back piece had multiple uses, such as for a flag bearing.[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-82) The style of gusoku, like the [plate armour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_armour), in which the front and back _dou_ are made from a single iron plate with a raised center and a V-shaped bottom, was specifically called _nanban dou gusoku_ (Western style _gusoku_).[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-gusoku-79) Various other components of armor protected the samurai's body. The helmet ([_kabuto_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuto)) was an important part of the samurai's armor. It was paired with a _shikoro_ and _fukigaeshi_ for protection of the head and neck.[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-83) The garment worn under all of the armor and clothing was called the _fundoshi_, also known as a loincloth.[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-84) Samurai armor changed and developed as the methods of samurai warfare changed over the centuries.[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-85) The known last use of samurai armor occurring in 1877 during the [Satsuma Rebellion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satsuma_rebellion).[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-86) As the last samurai rebellion was crushed, Japan modernized its defenses and turned to a national conscription army that used uniforms.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-87) * Samurai armour * [_Ō-yoroi_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8C-yoroi), [Kamakura period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamakura_period), 13th–14th century, [Kasuga Grand Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasuga-taisha), [National Treasure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Treasure_\(Japan\)) * [_Dō-maru_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8D-maru) with Black and White Lacing. [Muromachi period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muromachi_period), 15th century, [Tokyo National Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_National_Museum), [Important Cultural Property](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Important_Cultural_Property_\(Japan\)) * [Toyotomi Hidetsugu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyotomi_Hidetsugu)'s _gusoku_ armour, [Azuchi-Momoyama period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azuchi-Momoyama_period), 16th-17th century, [Suntory Museum of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suntory_Museum_of_Art) * [Karuta tatami dō gusoku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatami_\(Japanese_armour\)), [Edo period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period). A lightweight portable folding (tatami) armour made from small square or rectangle armor plates called karuta. The karuta are usually connected to each other by chainmail and sewn to a cloth backing. * A re-creation of an armored samurai riding a horse, showing horse armour (uma yoroi or [bagai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagai)) * Shell-shaped casque (Oitaragainari kawari [kabuto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuto)), iron and [papier-mâché](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papier-m%C3%A2ch%C3%A9) for the shell, beginning of the [Edo Period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_Period) * Face guard ([_Menpō_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menp%C5%8D)). Edo period. [Tokyo Fuji Art Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Fuji_Art_Museum). Combat techniques ----------------- During the existence of the samurai, two opposite types of organization reigned. The first type were recruits-based armies: at the beginning, during the [Nara period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_period), samurai armies relied on armies of Chinese-type recruits and towards the end in infantry units composed of _ashigaru_. The second type of organization was that of a samurai on horseback who fought individually or in small groups.[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-Turnbull,_Stephen_2004._p._196-88) At the beginning of the contest, a series of bulbous-headed arrows were shot, which buzzed in the air. The purpose of these shots was to call the [_kami_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kami) to witness the displays of courage that were about to unfold. After a brief exchange of arrows between the two sides, a contest called _ikkiuchi_ (一 騎 討 ち) was developed, where great rivals on both sides faced each other.[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-Turnbull,_Stephen_2004._p._196-88) After these individual combats, the major combats were given way, usually sending infantry troops led by samurai on horseback. At the beginning of the samurai battles, it was an honor to be the first to enter battle. This changed in the Sengoku period with the introduction of the arquebus.[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-Turnbull,_Stephen_2004._p._208-89) At the beginning of the use of firearms, the combat methodology was as follows: at the beginning an exchange of arquebus shots was made at a distance of approximately 100 meters; when the time was right, the _ashigaru_ spearmen were ordered to advance and finally the samurai would attack, either on foot or on horseback.[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-Turnbull,_Stephen_2004._p._208-89) The army chief would sit in a scissor chair inside a semi-open tent called _maku_, which exhibited its respective [_mon_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_\(emblem\)) and represented the [_bakufu_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakufu), "government from the _maku_."[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-90) In the middle of the contest, some samurai decided to get off the horse and seek to cut off the head of a worthy rival. This act was considered an honor. Through it they gained respect among the military class.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-91) After the battle, the high-ranking samurai normally celebrated with a [tea ceremony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony), and the victorious general reviewed the heads of the most important members of the enemy which had been cut.[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-92) Most of the battles were not resolved in the ideal manner mentioned above. Most wars were won through surprise attacks, such as night raids, fires, etc. The renowned samurai [Minamoto no Tametomo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Tametomo) said: > According to my experience, there is nothing more advantageous when it comes to crushing the enemy than a night attack \[...\]. If we set fire to three of the sides and close the passage through the room, those who flee from the flames will be shot down by arrows, and those who seek to escape from them will not be able to flee from the flames. > > — [Minamoto no Tametomo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Tametomo).[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-93) ### Head collection Kamakura samurai beheading (head collection) Cutting off the head of a worthy rival on the battlefield was a source of great pride and recognition. There was a whole ritual to beautify the [severed heads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headhunting): first they were washed and combed,[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-Gaskin,_Carol_2004-94) and once this was done, the teeth were blackened by applying a dye called [_ohaguro_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohaguro).[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-Turnbull,_Stephen_2004._p._231-95) The reason for blackening the teeth was that white teeth was a sign of distinction, so applying a dye to darken them was a desecration.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-Turnbull,_Stephen_2004._p._231-95) The heads were carefully arranged on a table for exposure.[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-Gaskin,_Carol_2004-94) In 1600, [Kani Saizō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kani_Saiz%C5%8D) participated in the [Battle of Sekigahara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sekigahara) as the forerunner of [Fukushima Masanori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_Masanori)'s army.[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-saizo-96) In the outpost battle of [Gifu Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifu_Castle), he took the heads of 17 enemy soldiers, and was greatly praised by [Tokugawa Ieyasu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokugawa_Ieyasu).[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-saizo-96) He fought with a [bamboo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo) stalk on his back and would mark the heads of his defeated enemies by putting bamboo leaves in their cut necks or mouths, since he couldn't carry every head.[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-saizo-96) Thus he gained the nickname _Bamboo Saizo._[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-saizo-96) During Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea, the number of severed heads of the enemies to be sent to Japan was such that for logistical reasons only the noses were sent. These were covered with salt and shipped in wooden barrels. These barrels were buried in a burial mound near the "Great Buddha" of Hideyoshi, where they remain today under the wrong name of [_mimizuka_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimizuka) or "ear mound."[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai#cite_note-97) ### Military formations --- *Originally published on [Geengeer](https://paragraph.com/@cryptohamsterz/items-samurai)*