did samurai use crossbows

Sources and references about Arms, Armors, Gears and Tactics of the Classical, Medieval and Early Modern Japan, Altough you are right regarding the long usage of crossbow in china, it's important to note that by the ming dynasty , crossbow was rarely used in battle, and most generally by south china ethnic minorities ,that at little to no contact possibilities with japan in the first place. The most iconic design is that said to have been inspired by the Japanese horned beetle. Did samurai use bows? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. After that, they would take their bow and fire off a whistling arrow to draw attention to themselves, and invite the challenge of anyone of similar rank. Its said that the Ashikaga shogun first saw firearms used when watching Dutch traders hunting for ducks in 1543. So there you have it the key components of a samurai warriors inventory across the ages. Perhaps you could summarize what is shared in that article to improve this answer? Amazingly, the samurai police even had their own version of pepper spray, the metsubushi. The yumi had outward curves at the end of each limb, which bent away from the archer. The practice of mounted archery is known as yabusame in Japanese. Shudo () and yumi () - Japanese Crossbows (4 January, 2019). Reddit, Inc. 2023. In the 16th century, Portuguese traders introduced full plate mail to Japan, of the kind used by European knights, with bulletproof varieties even being developed. Great arrive,i see the three scrolls of Gosannen Kassen Ekotoba, where i can find the oyumi mencin? That's a legit question, I have used mainly Karl Friday "Samurai, warfare and the state in early medieval Japan" as main source to make this article but maybe I miss something here and there; I would double chek it.Anyway we know that Oyumi started to be a thing applied to Japanese warfare only in the late 7th century, but you might be right maybe 9th century is a bit too late as the fear of Tang invasion didn't last that long. I have a question. O-Yumi means simply "a long bow". When did samurai exist? defending Japan from Chinese ( Mongolian ) Invasion, Starting the Prompt Design Site: A New Home in our Stack Exchange Neighborhood. Do spelling changes count as translations for citations when using different english dialects? However, bows and arrows were likely used in Japan even before that. Thank you, the first article linked was very helpful. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. I have to say that I used Karl Friday analysis for most of this article in order to add some academic sources, but I admit that I should have spent a little more time.I'll rewrite that part of the horseback and the reloading as soon as possible (cannot reload is a wrong verb).Thank you again!Also it is possible that said crossbow was copied. Its also possible that the shorter lower limb helped foot soldiers shoot while kneeling. The usage of the crossbow is always associated with the armies of Europe and the vast forces of ancient China. ( almost equal to California and Japan is a mountain-full country. The first thing that catches the eye about yumi is their size. "https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=PVrGDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA93&lpg=PA93&dq=silla+pirates+japan&source=bl&ots=VDznS2oM0u&sig=ACfU3U2HMdILJL4VjeTx0Q2RYeJc9oHwPQ&hl=pt-BR&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiqk5iYzPXoAhU1E7kGHVI1D_MQ6AEwDHoECAUQAQ#v=onepage&q=silla-pirates-japan&f=false"Because of unrest during this time, Silla pirates flourished, and piracy on the Japanese coast-particularly in northern Kyushu-increased dramatically, which consequently led to intense Japanese animosity toward Silla pirates. Would limited super-speed be useful in fencing? Tanegashima were used by the samurai class and their foot soldiers and within a few years the introduction of the tanegashima in battle changed the way war was . They also had a very long tang (the part of the blade which extends into the handle) to prevent the blade from snapping off and turning the weapon into a very long, very pretty, but very useless stick the last thing you need with a horde of angry clansmen swiping at you. This was a small wooden box with a mouthpiece on one end and a pipe or hole on the other. This includes the much longer Daikyu and the shorter Hankyu. ). Kamakura period. There are many parts that make up a full set of samurai armor, but two pieces hold the most importance. But crossbows never became popular among the samurai for several reasons. This is no different from the crossbows of China, suggesting that they were probably imported. In order to make things clear and at the same time pay omage to this long tradition, today I'm going to talk about the Want (), the first c urved Japanese swords . January 04, 2019 Shudo () and yumi () - Japanese Crossbows Ono no Harukaze using a crossbow, from . If so, what period and how were they fielded? Some accounts also indicated that it launched bolts not in shingle shots but in multiple shots. It was asymmetrical, perhaps to allow for more comfortable horseback shooting. Wood wasnt the problem, but horns, bones and sinew had supply issues in Japan. These were some of the most crucial parts of their armor. They were an essential part of samurai training, as well as their weapon of choice in war. Swords in feudal Japan were adapted to the wielders and their targets. Several sources underlined how hard it was to operate it and that troops needed to be trained to use it. They would usually mark the blade with their signature, as well as adding ornate etchings of things such as flowers and dragons, known as horimono. What weapons did the samurai use? We exist to educate and inspire readers through teaching history in an understandable way. To prevent rebellions towards the end of the 16th century Oda Nobunaga, the first and most ruthless unifier of Japan, ordered that only samurai were permitted to carry bladed weapons. The samurai wore the katana on their left hip, with the edge facing down. Nonetheless, if you need to win a battle, gunpowder will get you much further than a sharp blade and a strict code of honor. What kind of bows did Samurai use? Ironically, the comparative poorness of Japanese steel led to better quality blades than made in Europe. Yumi were frequently used especially before Teppo came and even a lord himself died. do you think ninja's. Their equipment was as much a display of their status as it was a matter of military necessity. In fact, bows were the main weapons of samurai during battle. Herrigel, Eugen (1999). Yet these matchlock guns were slow to reload, noisy and useless in the rain. Does the Frequentist approach to forecasting ignore uncertainty in the parameter's value? Strong enough to be used defensively but sharp enough to slide through limbs, the katana rose in popularity due to the change in nature of close-combat warfare. According to tradition, the samurai was required to leave his katana with a servant when entering a house or building, however he would be allowed to wear the wakizashi. They usually didnt shoot while galloping. Bashford Dean wearing Samurai Armor Quoting from the man itself, page 10 of the catalogue: " "In Japan, on the other hand, the a, Tate & Tedate ( & ) - Japanese Shields A samurai carrying a Tate type of shield converted into a Tedate and a Nagamaki, " ", 13th century Japanese shields are a really interesting topic to study, and an highly misunderstood one, especially inside the "pop culture". Although you are correct about the lengthy history of crossbow use in China, it is crucial to remember that during the Ming dynasty, crossbows were seldom employed in warfare, and most often by South China ethnic minority who had little to no contact with Japan in the first place. The naginata was a long-bladed pole weapon, heavier and slower than the Japanese sword. The greatest tools at the disposal of a daimyo (noble lord and clan chieftain) were his samurai: knights of old Japan who were feared and respected in equal measure. But Chinese-made imports were already available, so why bother creating a local version? Women would sometimes carry a small tant, called a kaiken, to be used for self-defence. Basically, it was a variant of the Chinese repeating crossbow. When carried, i would guess the proper place would be on their back - the "Yumi" as we . I like reading books about the warring era in Japan too, but I have neer ever The larger version of the shudo, the yumi, enjoyed a bit of popularity, unlike the handheld type. Affixed to the bottom was the shikoro: a neck guard of plate metal that fanned out over the neck and shoulders, tied to the edge of the kabuto. Samurai occasionally used battle axes called masakari to fight. One key example as you mentioned itself is the Toi invasion; despite it being recorded as a very massive fleet of pirates it wasn't a true invasion in the sense of an organized army with a goal but rather a massive raid. This apathy is easy to fathom, when one considers the technological benefits and limitations of the weapon.". Published with, Youve successfully subscribed to Japanjunky. During the rise of the military class (samurai) in medieval Japan, there was a strong demand for skills in archery. How could submarines be put underneath very thick glaciers with (relatively) low technology? The katana was a curved, slender, single-bladed longsword, with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. For such an occasion, a more practical tool is in order: the yari. Also see Did Samurai Did Samurai Exist? I haven't had the opportunity to deal with this topic yet but it seems reasonable to defend those coastlines in case of piracy.Anyway, it's true that invasion might not be a proper term with nowadays context, but keep in mind that back then pirate raids were often called "invasion" by time period sources. I find weird the part "foreign invasion" since it sounds like a large scale foreign-led army crossing the waves. This negative perception was further exacerbated by a series of events, including a Silla immigrant uprising in 820 and its attempt to attack Tsushima. The tant had a ceremonial and decorative function: it would often be used by the samurai in seppuku the ritual suicide by disembowelment. Samurais used bows as their main weapons in combat. dictionaries under the names 'oyumi' or 'teppo yumi'. Yes, for example in Japan there are pictures about major wars during around AD1500-1600 but no-crossbowmen were portrayed. Most samurai would carry one of these short, sharp daggers. Based on excavated remains in Shimane prefecture, the weapon has been dated to the Yayoi Period (200-300 C.E.). With its ability to shoot from a safe distance, the bow and arrow held an important place in the samurai warriors arsenal. Bows were also used in target shooting during religious ceremonies. Success! They were an essential part of samurai training, as well as their weapon of choice in war. Hence, archery served as an important complement. More plates known as kusazuri were attached to the belt of the d, hanging down to protect the thighs. There are two main reasons we associate the katana with these warriors so closely. With their bamboo yumi bow in their hands, samurai warriors would ride into battle on their small but nimble steeds. Retrieved from: Shudo () and yumi () - Japanese Crossbows (gunbai-militaryhistory.blogspot.com). The katana did not even become a symbol of the samurai class until the Edo Period. Sodegarami: the 'sleeve entangler'. Ah, that Edo period Shudo sketch was probably copied from Jue Zhang Xin Fa (). Like many of the crossbows of that period (and later periods), it was made of wood, and the sole triggering mechanism was made of bronze. To make a powerful crossbow in those periods, one needed horns, bones, sinew and wood. Whatever the case, the fact is that this shape, combined with its massive frame, gave the yumi great range and shooting power. The bow design of Japan is as unique as its tradition. I think you can safely ignore them after the end of In my Blog here you will never find anything similar; this project was born with the purpose to create a place on the internet, Want (): Early Curved Japanese Swords A classic example of a curved warabitet , the most common style. The naginata was the iconic weapon of the onna-bugeisha, the female warriors of the Japanese nobility. This tool had a U-shaped blunt spearhead, perfectly sized for pinning the neck or limbs of a criminal to the floor or wall. Out of necessity to gain an edge, the samurai embraced the matchlock gun and trained themselves and their ashigaru foot soldiers in its usage. In this way, foreign threats were placed in the same class of phenomena as natural calamities, and both were viewed as being dangerous eruptions of chaos. Youve successfully signed in. The bows were made from a composite of bamboo (for flexibility) and wax tree (for strength), and a layer of lacquer to finish. However, the yumi predates horseback shooting by a wide margin. in Nagoya belonged to Tokugawa Mitsutomo (1625 - 1700), whilst the But based on the records available, it functioned as a platform-mounted catapult. There are unfortunately no depictions of such weapon, it is only mentioned in some document that I do not recall at the moment but must have been one of the two major gunkimono of the era. Yumi, the Japanese bow, had some unique characteristics. Teppo means rifles, whereas yumi is a long ( or rather shorter ) bow. Early samurai warfare was extremely ritualized, and the bow and arrow played an important part in the procedures of battlefield etiquette. If you have ever tried to approach the study of Japanese swords , you might have encountered the incredible amount of different theories and the huge (and occasionally hostile ) nomenclature that pervade such field. For lighter war arrows, the shooting distance could be as far as 200 meters (660 feet). Great strength was needed to draw the string on these asymmetrical bows, and it was typically drawn and released from the thumb rather than the fingers. Sword Lore Admittedly, the reason why my friends are into swordsmanship is because of the sword itself. They would ride at each other and try to shoot at least three arrows. The weapon arrived from Korea in 618, and Shimagi Fubito Makoto invented a rotating version that could shoot in different directions in the 9th century. It was also a common part of a dowry of noblewomen. Just like bow and arrows, they were a much more prominent feature of Japanese warfare than swords, carried by both samurai and commoners. Shudo () and yumi () - Japanese Crossbows (gunbai-militaryhistory.blogspot.com). "Siege crossbows were placed on several key locations on the Sea of Japan to prevent a foreign invasion during the 9th century. Also see Did Samurai Invade China? to learn more. The Japanese simply had different preferences when fighting. Japanese Castles AD 250--1540, Stephen Turnbull, Peter Dennis, Illustrated by Peter Dennis, Osprey Publishing, 2008. Its asymmetric design made it distinct from other bows. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. In his story The Master, the 19th-century writer Atsushi Nakajima (who most Japanese people will remember from high school literature classes) writes about an old Chinese master who could shoot down a hawk with neither bow nor arrow in his hand! Their point was forged in steel, their shaft was made of bamboo, and they were fletched with feathers. I didn't know about the numbers of crossbowmen actually nor that they were deployed more by Song. But what tools did these warriors themselves have at their disposal to carry out the will of their masters, and to keep their own heads while doing so? A katana modified from a tachi forged by Motoshige, 14th century, Image Credit: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons. The Chinese varieties were well known in Japan and appear in When talking about horseback shooting, an image of mounted archers from the steppes of Europe may come to mind. This led to the development of an artisan smithing culture, with a high level of expertise needed to fortify the metal and make it battle-ready. of earlier texts. Simple, conical yajiri were used for target practice, but war arrows could have varied designseven barbed ones. And unlike the nimbler yumi bow, a samurai couldnt use a crossbow while in motion. Yari: the overlooked staple of Japanese battles. This specific name is an umbrella term used to refer to every Japanese curved swords, although in this s artilce I'm going to present the very first types of said family, namely the warabitet ( ) which differs from the usual curved Japanese sword of the later periods and all the variations that sprung from this so iconic and yet forgotten Japanese swords. When ready to enter the fray, a samurai would first announce their name and rank, then boast about past victories. Scan this QR code to download the app now. The grip was located around a third of the way up the bow rather than in the center. For one thing, it allowed smaller men to operate the weapon, unlike the longbow. What Led to George, Duke of Clarences Execution by Wine? and our Novel about a man who moves between timelines. It was probably due to the Japanese reforms aimed at creating an Imperial system similar to that of Tang China that made the crossbows being imported to Japan, in my opinion.I see your point on big crossbows being used, however said weapon is useful only in siege like situation since it is more akin to a siege weapon than a regular ranged one (like a bow). By 1575 they had become so widespread that Oda Nobunaga had 3000 guns at his disposal when he wiped out his rival at the battle of Nagashino, the decisive victory in his conquest of the nation. Regards. Japanese crossbows were used in the 9th and 10th centuries, but this was not mentioned much afterward. The established shogunates, being constantly at war with each other produced some of the battle-hardened fighters there were in their period. 1 Did the Samurai use crossbows? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. If a commoner were found with one, they would have it promptly confiscated (along with their hand or head). For comparison, ratio of crossbowmen in a Song army could be as high as 60~80%.Secondly, it is possible to reload crossbow on horseback, or retreat to somewhere safe to dismount + reload at least. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Their weapons were a display of status and power in ancient Japan. Metropolitan Museum's one has a partial signature ' Kunitaka'. When fighting on horseback, the samurai used a long, single-handed sword (tachi). In Nara period, Please note, non native Japanese people, it is critical to remeber that the origin of Samurais are actually imperial family. What did samurai use on horseback? This ritual suicide was known as seppuku, and it was an astonishingly common practice among the samurai class. This shape is called recurve, and it existed in other cultures before appearing in Japan. You can think of the early Edo era a bit like the American Wild West: there werent many large-scale battles to worry about, but a fair amount of duels, assassinations, and banditry still posed a threat. Sharing Thoughts, Stories, And Ideas About Japan, Japanjunky 2023. The practice even extended beyond disgrace and dishonor, and into the act of junshi: suicide after the death of the lord they served. have been one of available materials: the same limited choices of The yumi was an asymmetric Japanese longbow and an important weapon of the samurai during the feudal period of Japan. Does anyone have any information about credibility? They could even have the signatures of their smiths, just as with katanas. Since it's a long story to tell, to really understand the development and the usage of shields in Japan, I have to start back in the early history of the " Rising sun's " country. When samurai warriors are mentioned, the sword is often the first thing that enters people's minds. In 660, following the fall of its ally Baekje, the JapaneseEmperor Tenjiutilized skilled technicians to construct fortresses in kyushu and seto inland sea to protect Japan's coastline from invasion. How to describe a scene that a small creature chop a large creature's head off? Other than heat. Here are 6 of the most important weapons of the Japanese Samurai. Did the Samurai have crossbows? no fewer than seventeen provinces. Firearms in the hands of the samurai warriors and their ashigaru troops were powerful and required less training. But first we need to clarify few things ; The Sengoku period is an awfully long period which roughly goes from the 1467 to the 1600 depending on the sources and the only red line connecting more than 100 years of history is that the various provinces of Japan were constantly at w, Japanese Armor Body Coverage Explained Warriors of the Takeda Clan donning their armor, Utagawa Sadahide ( ) - As I said before in a previous post, for any serious "Armor Enthusiast", there are some questions that suddenly come to mind when looking at a full harness. Stack Exchange network consists of 182 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Long swords, known as katana, were primarily used by the samurai, but short swords, known as wakizashi, and knives . Karuta: the iconic Samurai Armor. It won't be the first case; there are two crossbows drawn in another manual and I'm pretty sure to have seen those designs in one of your articles, from a Chinese book. In one scene you can see soldiers crafting crossbows and crossbow bolts and in another one Ishida Mitsunari himself shots in the incoming opponents with several one-shot crossbows (with his attendants providing him with loaded ones) before going melee. It was able to accurately and efficiently shoot Japanese arrows called Ya. When a time of great peace comes, whats the warrior class to do? It was only then, when large-scale conflict became unnecessary, that the flashy katana became dominant as a weapon suited to the small conflicts and duels of that time. Interestingly, the usage of the yumi persisted even during the age of the tanegashima, in the battlefields of the Sengoku Jidai. Samurai were clad in armor, an effective barrier against light arrows. . (esp. I would not like to be so critical to any answeres, but answering quite misleading answer just leads the questioner nowhere. One account described how the yumi discharged multiple shots and described it as: The Oyumi were lined up and fired at random, the arrows fell like rain. It was last used in 1189. Having the grip at one-thirds of the bow puts it at the center of the bows elastic movement. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. In fact, although the samurai are most famous for their skill and use of the blade (Katana, Wakizashi), the early samurai were, in fact, horse archers. With that, it was proven to be utilized during the Yayoi period. For example, wearing two swords was a privilege given to the Samurai. This is especially true as they were predominantly cavalry archers. I'm glad that you left a comment ;)Thank you for the input! For this reason, guns quickly replaced bows on the battlefields of Europe. They could measure as long as 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) and had exceptional shooting power. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. The main parts of a katana are the 60-80cm blade, the oval hand-guard, the handle with a cord wrap around it, and the scabbard with a cloth cord tied around for hanging on the waist. Axes didn't allow for the mobility and range needed while on horseback. For example, wearing two swords was a privilege given to the Samurai. Dating back to the Heian period (794-1185), the tant was mainly used as weapon but later evolved to become more ornate and aesthetically pleasing. Nagashino War : Nobunaga Oda vs Takeda family, 1575. The Samurai never earn their reputation as fierce warriors for nothing. Ya arrowheads were called yajiri. Japan further blamed Silla for various calamities: natural disasters such as carthquakes came to be linked with Silla piracy, and the Silla pirates were even blamed for volcanic activity in Japan. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. However, this practice looked very different in feudal Japan. Oh, I see, if Oyumi is O-Yumi, then I understand. The medieval Japanese bow was assymetrical and about six feet long. Its name literally meant great bow, with the term o to indicate greatness or large size and yumi as the bow. They were closer to what we would consider ponies, measuring under 1.47 meters (4.8 feet). As sword combat became more important, fighting on foot increased, and the samurai used a shorter, two-handed sword (katana). Japanese Longbow or Yumi This was an important weapon used by Samurai warriors during feudal Japan. Shinto purification rituals prepared the enrobed smith for his task, as he was essentially acting as a priest to summon this spirit into the blade. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. There are different kinds of bows and each of these has a specific purpose. While samurai did not have something that was exactly similar to warhammers, Feudal Japan DID have variations of yari that had different areas of proficiency. ( Please note after the import of Teppo, bowmen became less and less important. It saw action in much later periods than the shudo but eventually disappeared from use and thus from history. Although I do extremely respect the man for his pioneering approach inside the field of Samurai Arms & Armors in the late 19th and early 20th century, we can read in his first catalogue, "Catalogue of the Loan Collection of Japanese Armor" dated 1905 from the "Metropolitan Museum of Art" one of the most "romantic" clich associated within the Samurai warrior culture. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The blade is slightly curved a remnant from the days when swords were mostly used from horseback. History Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for historians and history buffs. Thank you for your comment though. Samurai in armor in the 1860s; hand-colored photograph by Felice Beato, Image Credit: CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons, The Incredible Story of William J. 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