Historical Basis & Applications: Why are we Japanese?

Ikko Taizen is one of the only Japanese-based groups in Dagorhir. It is a primary goal of ours to portray a typically under-represented style within this organization. In addition to actively participating in battles and events, we place a large emphasis on re-creating medieval Japanese society in as historical a manner as possible. From our style of fighting to attire to group structure, distinction is our intent. Importantly, we completely eschew the use of shields in battles. While this may seem suicidal from a pragmatic point of view, it is our strong belief that the variety we bring in attempting to explore new tactics far outweighs the relatively high amount of attrition we suffer on the battlefield. We here explain much of what defines us as a unit.

Weapons Used by the Taizen

Katana - Sword (Blue)

No overview of Japanese medieval weaponry would be complete without a review of this weapon. "Katana" is the word for sword in Japanese.  The term katana specifically refers to a type of sword in use during the post-classical era: the single-edged longsword in widespread use on the battlefield and most closely associated with its use by the samurai. A cutting and stabbing weapon, the katana could be used wtih a one or two-handed grip (depending on overall size). Katana also specifically refers to a sword kept blade side up in the hilt, more used in post-sengoku Tokugawa times.

The evolution of the main battle sword follows a long, winding path across many centuries of classical and medieval Japanese history. The distinctive curve of the blade. It is particularly hard to make general statements about the usage or design of the weapon because of the sheer variety of examples seen throughout samurai history. Its length, degree of curvature, thickness of blade and backing, and balance ultimately depended on the era in which it was forged and the purpose for which it was used; even then, variations of style are seen between swordsmiths and provinces. The eventual evolution from straight, Chinese-style sword (jokoto) to larger swept cavalry sword (the tachi, with blade kept down in the hilt) back again to smaller status symbol (katana) almost perfectly matched the role of the samurai in battle and the armor a sword had to contend with. Common to all eras of swordbuilding, however, were the examples of fanatical and near-mystical devotion some swordsmiths poured into the task of building one of these weapons, with finer examples taking over a month to complete. A folded-composite blade with a careful match of softer and harder metals, it is easy to see the value of current blades produced in the classical style (the commission for a single sword can reach over $10000).

Within Taizen, the katana see representation as single-edged blue weapons, typicaly 3.5 - 2.5 feet in length. Shorter, mid-length swords of 1.5 - 2.5 feet in length also see use as close sidearm backups in larger field engagements. It is a standard requirement that all new members of Taizen gain proficiency in the use of this weapon, as well as learn basic knowledge of corresponding katana or bokuto forms. Skill with other weapons often derives from skill with this most basic of swords.

Yumi - Bow (Yellow)

The yumi is a Japanese longbow, traditionally made of several layers of laminated bamboo and lacquered. Most are over six feet in height, taller than the actual archer. The arrows (Ya) were also made of lacquered bamboo, and as long as the distance from the fingertips to the chest. Two-thirds the height of the bow is above the handgrip and one-third below, as opposed to most western symmetrical designs, resulting in a graceful shape when fully drawn. Arguments for this design usually relate to the bow's use on horseback, and how this might make switching from side to side easier. A more likely reason is that this design results in less handshock to the user, allowing for the archer to fire more arrows before experiencing fatigue.

The yumi is a traditional samurai weapon. Warfare beginning in the late Heian period (794-1185) saw samurai, the enforcement arm of court nobility in Kyoto, as primarily horseback archers. As frontier fighters, the style of combat experienced would have been primarily more analagous to skirmishing than open field battling. This would have not been entirely the case, but it is worth noting that samurai were associated with the use of the bow long before their present-day association with katana. Skirmishing horseback archery, treated as a large-scale series of individual engagements between opposing armies, served as the norm until late 13th century Mongol invasions gave the samurai a cruel lesson in tactical warfare. Beyond this period, a gradual expansion of the samurai to a versatile mounted lancer and shock cavalry was seen. As individualistic combat ended, so did the predominance of the mounted samurai archer.

In dagorhir, representing this style of fighting is a unique challenge. While we do have access to traditional yumi-styled bows, the length of dagorhir arrows allowed is far shorter than that of traditional ya. Regardless, dagorhir archery provides an approximation of samurai archery, with the Taizen placing an emphasis on the use of aggressive skirmishing archers.

Tetsubo - Mace (Red/Green)

The tetsubo is the Japanese equivalent of the mace. It varied in size and materials of construction, but can probably be best described as a top-heavy blunt-force weapon. Examples in museums and artwork show sword-sized, metal-studded examples to the right, as well as wooden or iron bars the size of the wielder's height. While it might not have pierced armor or caused stabbing wounds or slashes, enough force would still have be imparted in each blow to cause serious damage to the person on the receiving end.

Of the classical forms of Japanese warfare, use of the tetsubo is one of the lesser-documented types, and is hard to find information about. It seems to have had little widespread use in field battles, and has more presence (today, at least) as an ornamental piece in sculptures and shrines.

The dagorhir equivalent of this weapon is the two-handed red mace, usually 4-6 feet in length. In particular, Taizen uses the type of shorter striking edge, in addition to a green stabbing tip. Like its historical counterpart, it does not play too major a part of our larger group tactics.

Odachi - Two-Handed Sword (Red and Red/Green)

An odachi is a large two-handed Japanese sword.  Odachi approximately translates to "long sword," and simply referred to the longer style of two-handed sword in use during medieval warfare. Far less common than the ubiquitous katana, this was still an effective weapon when used properly. Like the tetsubo, this weapon was probably used on a far more infrequent basis than other more effective alternatives.

This particular weapon began gaining popularity by the late Kamakura period (1185-1333), and had probably disappeared from the battlefield by the Momoyama period (by which time massed infantry formations would have rendered the weapon largely useless). Understanding the degree to which this weapon was used in battle is difficult to establish solely on the basis of archaeological evidence; this is due to regulations cutting swords to a specific length by the time Tokugawa came to power. There are still many surviving examples which had at one point or another served as decorative pieces, the largest an astounding 12 feet in length. Most of these examples were also dated to pre-Sengoku times; it is probable odachi saw use even up to the time of the Onin war. Few resources detailing the use of this weapon are available in English. There are, however, bujutsu existing today still practicing the use of this weapon. These schools are typically pre-Tokugawa, corresponding to when the weapon saw widespread use.

Nodachi are represented in Taizen with 4-6 foot red swords. Longer swords typically also have green tips, with smaller examples seeing use primarily as fast shield breaking tools. In larger battles, we are more likely to emphasize the use of naginata; some skilled members may prefer the odachi, however.

Yari - Spear (Green)

Yari is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear.  Yari measured anywhere from one meter to upwards of six meters ( 3.3 to 20 feet). The longer versions were called omi no yari while shorter ones were known as mochi- or tae yari. The longest versions were carried by foot troops (ashigaru ), while the Samurai usually carried the shorter versions.  Yari were characterized by a straight blade that could be anywhere from several centimeters long, to 3 feet (0.9 meters) or more. The blades were made of the same high-quality steel that the swords and arrow-heads of samurai weapons were forged with, and yari blades were very durable. Over history many variations of the straight yari blade were produced, often with protrusion on a central blade. Yari blades (points) had extremely long tangs which were usually longer than the sharpened portion of the blade. The tang protruded into a hollow portion of the handle. This resulted in a very stiff shaft and made it nearly impossible for the blade to fall or break off. 

Yari are believed to have been derived from Chinese spears, and while they were present in early Japan's history they did not become popular until the 13th century. The original warfare of the bushi was not a thing for 'commoners'; it was a ritualized combat usually between two warriors who would challenge each other via horseback archery and sword duels. However the invasions of Mongols in 1274 and 1281 changed Japanese warfare and weaponry. The Mongol-employed Chinese and Korean footmen wielded long pikes, fought in tight formation, and moved in large units to stave off cavalry. Polearms (inlcuding naginata and yari) were of much greater military use than swords, due to their much greater range, their lesser weight per unit length (though overall a pole arm would be fairly hefty), and their great piercing ability. Swords in a full battle situation were therefore relegated to emergency sidearm status from the Heian through the Muromachi periods.

Large stabbing polearms are a particular preferred weapon of the Taizen. Coordinated use of green-only spears plays a large role in battlefield tactics; effective use in siege situations can easily blunt a charge or press an attack, and over an open field can quickly pierce an unsuspecting line.

Naginata and Nagamaki - Glaive (Red / Green)

A naginata is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. A naginata consists of a wood shaft with a curved blade on the end.  Usually it also had a sword-like guard between the blade and shaft.  The term "naginata" first appeared in the Kojiki in 712 CE and was used by Sohei warrior priests during the Nara Period, around 750 CE. In the paintings of battlefield scenes made during the Tengyo no Ran in 936 CE, the naginata can be seen in use. It was in 1086, in the book Ōshū Gosannenki ("A Diary of Three Years in Oshu") that the use of the naginata in combat is first recorded. In this period the naginata was regarded as an extremely effective weapon by warriors.

A particularly useful book on the use of these and yari (and one of the only books of its kind in English), is a recent work by Roald Knutsen. Well worth the price, it traces the entire evolution of Japanese polearms from pre-classical to the Edo periods.

Naginata are represented in Taizen by slashing and stabbing red/green polearms. Emphasis is placed away from length and more towards ease of rotation and sliding of the shaft; most naginata bujutsu place as much importance on this aspect of the weapon as on the blade. While the effectiveness of dagorhir naginata are limited due to the lack of a hilt spike, they can still prove to be devastating weapons through the use of skillful and agile wielding.

Japanese Armor

The technique of making Japanese armor has existed for well over a thousand years. Like the katana, and armor elsewhere, the characteristics of Japanese armor were dynamic in relation to the tactics of the era. Armor began as leather scale mail, heavily braided together with hundreds of yards of silk. From leather scale, to metal scale, to metal lamellar, to metal plate, there appears a gradual trend towards less flexible and more protective materials. This reflects the ability of armorers to protect the wearer against increasingly violent combat, with suits eventually being tested against contemporary muskets as proof of the maker's skill. As with many other nationally supported historical crafts, there is still a thriving armor-making business in Japan today.

Significant research has been devoted within Taizen towards armor-making recreation, with a respective investment in materiel. In particular, mid-sengoku gusoku are emphasized, with lamellar construction of leather our preferred design. Experimenting has also been conducted with metal riveted plate, as well as Japanese 6-in-1 chainmail; for kachi, designs are being drawn for the construction of mass-produced plate and tatami-do.