Member Social Organization & Ranks

"Fate is in Heaven, the armor is on the breast, success is with the legs. Go to the battlefield firmly confident of victory, and you will come home with no wounds whatever. Engage in combat fully determined to die and you will be alive; wish to survive in the battle and you will surely meet death. When you leave the house determined not to see it again you will come home safely; when you have any thought of returning you will not return. You may not be in the wrong to think that the world is always subject to change, but the warrior must not entertain this way of thinking, for his fate is always determined. "

                                                                                         ~ Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578)

The government of Feudal Japan was a very complex and intricate one, mostly due to the fact that for the duration of it, the military was a highly integrated part, and because the number of smaller prefectures (Kuni) were mostly self regulated. The independence and sheer number of these prefectures (around 37 spread all throughout the main and smaller islands of Japan) made it difficult, if not impossible, to keep an effective organized central government. For this reason, it would be very unlikely for us to truly be able to mimic in full effect the entire social, military and governmental status of the ever changing and evolving feudal Japanese society.

The Taizen's members portray a military hierarchy typical of that which would be found during the era of Warring States, or Sengoku Jidai, a violent period of social upheaval during Japan's feudal period.  From roughly 1467 to 1615 the country was characterized by incessant fighting, where those from below challenged the legitimacy of rule from those above.  As with any military, Japan's ideal feudal hierarchy was a top-down autocracy.  Our Dagorhir group reflects a similar organization, minus the excessively authoritarian overtones.  Thankfully so, we also emulate the height of the Sengoku Jidai during the 1500's, in that rank is often based on merit of ability and not as exclusively hereditary as it once was.  Functionality aside, here is a general overview, for all curious, of the basic structure of the Japanese feudal military hierarchy and how it is reflected within our group.

KYUNIN - Officers

The Kyunin are the nobles of the military class. It was almost required that one be born into this class of warriors to be a part of it.  During a particularly bloody era of the Sengoku period, however, lower class warriors including ashigaru could rise to the Kyunin class.  One of the three great unifiers of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, started his life as a peasant.  Everyone who joins is eligible to be a part of the Kyunin.

DAIMYO - A Japanese feudal lord; there is only one Daimyo.  their real duties were as extensively administrative as they were martial.  He may essentially be summed up as the general of a clan's armies.

The Daimyo's abilities includes, but are not limited to, accepting new people into the clan and/or noble class, making final decisions in matters of structure and policy, instructing the army as a whole on the battlefield, breaking down the army into smaller regiments, etc.

SAMURAI - The samurai were undoubtedly a key part of the totem of feudal Japanese armies, being specialized warriors usually of high social rank.  Historically, their lives centered around feudal allegiances to powerful landowners, themselves being a class of feifdom.  Of note is the idea that they followed "bushido," translated as the way, -do, of the warrior, -bushi, which ideally reflected the notion that samurai were a class fanatically devoted to their lord, defense of their honor, and bound unto death.  While not necessarily codified until after the Sengoku Jidai, when it formally established to maintain the system of Confucian allegiance, there were nonetheless several classical examples of samurai devotion throughout the Warring States period.  It must be emphasized that in reality, samurai warfare was often as brutal and opportunistic as corresponding feudal eras elsewhere. At the height of their power, the samurai numbered in the millions; around 10% of the overall population of medieval Japan. 

Samurai in Taizen lead teams of Ashigaru on the battlefield.  They have exhibited exceptional dedication to the group and have invested significant amounts of time, money, and effort towards the wellbeing of Taizen as a whole.  They maintain a large personal armory in addition to a decent supply of working loaner weapons, to aid in the recruitment of new members.  They are exceptionally experienced in most aspects of combat and weapons building.  Samurai also share a portion of the administrative responsibilities of the clan: calling members, coordinating events, and keeping records, among others.  They must have recruited 3 or more members to the clan and be actively involved in ensuring a growing membership.  They are also encouraged to assist in long-term clan projects such as armor building or learning a Japanese instrument. A samurai in Taizen is an indispensable member of the group.

KACHI - Soldiers

The Kachi make up the bulk of the warrior class; primarily, peasants either willingly or forcefully joined into military service, and personal attendants to the Kyunin.

GASHIRA - Literally, "head." The gashira were battlefield leaders of small units of troops; there would be a gashira at the head of each spear or bow company, for example. The most direct comparison would be to a modern army sergeant. Gashira were essential elements to any ordered samurai army, and served as the final connecting point between the officers and soldiers. Interestingly, both peasant and noble class were found within the ranks of the gashira, since many ashigaru distinguished themselves as equally or more capable than their samurai counterparts in matters of ordering the unit in battle.

Gashira serve as intermediate members within Taizen. Like their historical counterparts, they are not entirely self-sufficient or full-rank officers, but are distinctly senior to the rest of the kachi. Requirements for advancement to this rank are at the discretion of the kyunin, who reach a decision on a case-by-case basis. The gashira are full members who show willingness to assume an increasing amount of responsibilties and duties, to the level of a full officer. It is expected that they show well-rounded experience in weapon-building, leadership, and fighting, as well as offer help in long-term projects.

ASHIGARU - For the most part, there was no distinction between the Ashigaru ("light foot") and peasant.  He who wielded a spear in the summer probably harvested wheat in the fall.  They were the rank and file of samurai armies; issued standard arms and under the command of a superior most of the time.  As the backbone of late feudal clan armies, they were always the most numerous.  Without Ashigaru, there is no army.  To quote a samurai saying, "one spear worth 200 pieces of gold can be defeated by 200 spears each worth one piece of gold." An effectively managed team of adequately equipped soldiers is more effective than several un-coordinated, though exceptional, fighters.

Ashigaru are the dedicated members of the clan who form up the bulk of Taizen.  Their duties include fighting hard in battle (of course), keeping a personal supply of clothing and weapons, and recruiting new members for the clan.  To be an ashigaru, one must have two blue swords in addition to a specialized battle weapon, his own uniform, and a battle name. Ashigaru are members of Taizen who are experienced in battle and have reached a respectable level of self-sufficiency and responsibility.

CHUGEN - Literally, the "in-between." The initial rank of new members in the clan.  The purpose of the Chugen in medieval Japan was to assist with physical tasks given by their officers, such as bearing spare weaponry and armor.  Personal attendants to the samurai, they are best equated to squires in medieval Europe (minus the necessary social status); like squires, they would fight when the need arose. Technically, a chugen in the samurai era could be further along the path to rising in status and social standing than an ashigaru, but for the purposes of re-enactment remain lower in rank in the Taizen.

Chugen in the Taizen are junior members of the unit whose responsibilities are little to none other than the important task of paying attention to experienced members and learning the ropes.  After they have procured their own garb, built their own supply of weapons, and attended several realm battles, Chugen are no longer trainees and are promoted to Ashigaru.  They generally rely on full members of Taizen for gaining experience and loaner equipment and are expected to reach ashigaru rank within several battles. Chugen are introductory members to the group who must show genuine promise and willingness to be an active part of Taizen.

HININ - Others

The Hinin were not actually part of the Buke (military class), but outliers to the traditional military hierarchy; among their ranks were Ronin (masterless samurai), Ikko-Ikki (rebel peasants), and Sohei (warrior monks).  This is definitely the position of status within the clan granting the most independence; the most freedom in terms of showing up to battles, attending practice, and other responsibilities. Only a small number the Taizen are Hinin; they cannot for one reason or another regularly attend practices and battles, be it due to distance or lack of time.  The Old Guard, essentially.

As a final note, these rank requirements are not completely stringent, and are here to serve as accurate guidelines for advancement. A member of the Taizen who has distinguished him or herself in one area can make up for lacking in another. Examples include assuming a great deal of adminstrative responsibilities, being a magnificent all-around fighter, making an excess of uniforms and weapons for others, serving a term as webmaster, or building armor.