WEAPONS OF THE SAMURAI ERA
When we think of the samurai, one quite natually thinks first of the sword, or katana. By the Edo period, it had become the primariy symbol of the samurai class. Japanese warriors, however, were proficient in many weapons, especially those listed below.
The Katana
traditional katana, modern forging by Zanshin Ironworks
The Katana, along with the wakizashi and the tanto, belongs to a class of blade production known as nihonto. The katana is a single-edged, curved blade composed of two types of steel joined in the process of differential forging. The design of the sword allows the user to utilize the torque of the body core rather than powering through with the arms. The forging and polishing process is so intensive that it is believed that part of the forger's spirit is carried in the blade.
Prior to the Tokugawa Shogunate, anyone could carry a katana, provided they had the time or resources to gain proficiency in it. During the Tokugawa era two related edicts were issued -- only men could carry the rank of samurai, and only samurai could carry a katana. This privilege was akin to being given a license to kill, and so the samurai were expected to uphold a code of honor. As a result the katana has become a powerful symbol of the code of bushido.
Katana can be further classified according to their function. Battle-ready katana are called shinken, and are informally called "cutters" due to their use in competition cutting by martial artists. One type of shinken, called gunto, was mass-produced by the Japanese government for its military officers. Blades used for training purposes are called iaito and are forged of a zinc alloy with a long groove and a rounded edge. With an iaito, a student can build the muscles and skills to use a shinken without threat of serious injury.
Display blades are highly artistic katana made by skilled forgers that could be taken into battle, but they are far too expensive for actual use. A cheap display blade will disparagingly be called a 'wallhanger', because it has no functionality whatsoever.
Prior to the Tokugawa Shogunate, anyone could carry a katana, provided they had the time or resources to gain proficiency in it. During the Tokugawa era two related edicts were issued -- only men could carry the rank of samurai, and only samurai could carry a katana. This privilege was akin to being given a license to kill, and so the samurai were expected to uphold a code of honor. As a result the katana has become a powerful symbol of the code of bushido.
Katana can be further classified according to their function. Battle-ready katana are called shinken, and are informally called "cutters" due to their use in competition cutting by martial artists. One type of shinken, called gunto, was mass-produced by the Japanese government for its military officers. Blades used for training purposes are called iaito and are forged of a zinc alloy with a long groove and a rounded edge. With an iaito, a student can build the muscles and skills to use a shinken without threat of serious injury.
Display blades are highly artistic katana made by skilled forgers that could be taken into battle, but they are far too expensive for actual use. A cheap display blade will disparagingly be called a 'wallhanger', because it has no functionality whatsoever.
The Wakizashi
Kaneharu wakizashi
The wakizashi is a companion blade to the katana, and is usually forged to the same standards as the katana. It can be used alone or in combination with a katana for close-range combat.
The famous swordsman Musashi is credited with developing the technique of fighting with the two blades simultaneously.
At the age of 13, a male child could become a samurai through a ceremony in which they he was given a wakizashi and an adult name.
The famous swordsman Musashi is credited with developing the technique of fighting with the two blades simultaneously.
At the age of 13, a male child could become a samurai through a ceremony in which they he was given a wakizashi and an adult name.
The Naginata
from Rocky Mt. Aikido
The naginata, also a nihonto weapon, is similar in design to the european halberd, with a curved blade at the end of a long staff. It often has a sword-style hand guard. Although it was often carried into battle, it's primary usage was to protect temples, homes and villages from invading forces.
In modern times the naginata is strongly identified with Japanese women due to the history involved. Prior to the Tokugawa Shogunate, women could train in archery, sword, and naginata, and some bushi women became known for their skills. After the sword was restricted to the samurai men, women became more identified with the naginata. Often a naginata would be included in a samurai wife's dowry.
The naginata was used as late as World War II by women to defend their households and villages. The tradition continues in martial arts schools and competitions to this day, in Japan and other countries.
In modern times the naginata is strongly identified with Japanese women due to the history involved. Prior to the Tokugawa Shogunate, women could train in archery, sword, and naginata, and some bushi women became known for their skills. After the sword was restricted to the samurai men, women became more identified with the naginata. Often a naginata would be included in a samurai wife's dowry.
The naginata was used as late as World War II by women to defend their households and villages. The tradition continues in martial arts schools and competitions to this day, in Japan and other countries.
The Yari
While the naginata remained popular for household defense purposes, it was eventually supplanted on the battlefield by the yari. The yari is a type of halberd that could also be thrown like a spear.
The Tanto
Uda Kunimasa tanto
The Tanto is a smaller blade designed to function as a personal protection knife. It was commonly carried by both men and women.
At a fairly young age, a woman would be given one to wear inside of her kimono.
The tanto was also used for the now-outlawed practice of junshi, or seppuku.
At a fairly young age, a woman would be given one to wear inside of her kimono.
The tanto was also used for the now-outlawed practice of junshi, or seppuku.
Bow and Arrow
from a recent NY Times article
Skill in archery, or kyujutsu, was considered so important for a Japanese warrior that it was common to refer to samurai as yumitori, meaning "bowman".
Japanese warriors considered themselves primarily archers, even after the katana emerged as the primary symbol of the samurai during the Edo period.
Archery in Japan developed along the same lines as European archery, with similar bows, arrows and techniques. Archery was practiced on horseback and on foot and large compound bows were usually the first long-range weapon employed in a battle.
In modern times, samurai archery survives primarily in the Zen Buddhist martial art called kyudo.
Japanese warriors considered themselves primarily archers, even after the katana emerged as the primary symbol of the samurai during the Edo period.
Archery in Japan developed along the same lines as European archery, with similar bows, arrows and techniques. Archery was practiced on horseback and on foot and large compound bows were usually the first long-range weapon employed in a battle.
In modern times, samurai archery survives primarily in the Zen Buddhist martial art called kyudo.
Matchlock Rifle
When gunpowder-based weaponry first emerged in the 13th century, it was looked upon with suspicion by Japanese warriors. Early guns were unreliable and had a nasty habit of blowing up in the user's face. Swords, bows and staffs were far more stable and reflected favorably upon the user's skill. A proficient archer could fire off a dozen arrows while the rifleman was preparing one shot.
By the 16th century, however, Japanese smiths had made improvements to this weapon, and rifles became a deciding force in large-scale feudal power struggles.
Guns were utilized less frequently during the Edo Period, but remained a common weapon in arsenals until the abolishment of the samurai class.
The Staff or Jo or Bo
from Castle Rock Aikido
Samurai became proficient in the use of various types of wooden staff, but a main concern was also learning to defend against them. Constructed of solid hickory or other woods, the jo is deceptively humble in appearance and can double as a walking stick.
The martial art of jodo was developed as a means of disarming and defeating swordsman. Jodo is still practiced and used by the Imperial Guard and police forces in Japan.
A heavier and longer version of the staff is commonly known as the bo. The bo is approximately six feet long and made of hardwood. It features prominently in the Okinawan art of Kobudo and also in Aikido training. A bo can double as a common walking stick or a carrying tool, and so it could be difficult to determine who was trained in how to use one.
The martial art of jodo was developed as a means of disarming and defeating swordsman. Jodo is still practiced and used by the Imperial Guard and police forces in Japan.
A heavier and longer version of the staff is commonly known as the bo. The bo is approximately six feet long and made of hardwood. It features prominently in the Okinawan art of Kobudo and also in Aikido training. A bo can double as a common walking stick or a carrying tool, and so it could be difficult to determine who was trained in how to use one.
The Kusarigama
a common kusarigama
Another weapon that samurai had to defend against was the kusarigama, utilized by local constabularies to control the occasional drunken samurai. It is a rather heavy steel sickle, attached to which is a long chain and balancing ball. The sickle is held in the hand, and the ball end is thrown so that it wraps around the hands holding the sword. The opponent can be thrown to the ground with a strong pull and then the sickle is placed against his neck.
Page Updated 07/07/2014
Page Updated 07/07/2014