SAMURAI Era POLE WEAPONS that Dominated Japanese Feudal Warfare

scholagladiatoria・2 minutes read

Japanese pole arms, like the Yari spear and Naganata glaive, played crucial roles in Samurai warfare, showcasing various designs and lengths tailored for combat purposes, while other weapons like the Kanabo and Masakari served specific roles in countering heavy armor. The Tori mono sandogo set, including the Nanty Bow, Tsukobu, Sodagarami, and Sasumata, played important roles in law enforcement during the Edo period, with designs influenced by Chinese weaponry for controlling and subduing individuals.

Insights

  • Japanese Yari spears were versatile weapons with various blade types, lengths, and designs, including the Jumanji Yari and Katakama Yari, showcasing adaptability and combat effectiveness in Samurai warfare.
  • Apart from the Yari, the Naganata emerged post-Mongol invasions as a consistent pole arm with a distinct blade design, while other weapons like the Bo staff and Kanabo mace served crucial roles in Japanese martial arts and warfare, highlighting the diverse array of pole arms utilized in historical contexts.

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Recent questions

  • What were the primary pole arms used in Japanese history?

    Yari and Naganata

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Summary

00:00

Versatile Japanese Yari Spears in Combat

  • Japanese pole arms, like the Yari spear, were crucial during the Samurai era from the 10th to the 19th centuries.
  • Spears were significant weapons alongside swords and bows, especially during the Mongolian invasions of the 13th and 14th centuries.
  • The Yari spear had various types of blades, including triangular and flattened diamond sections, with some being hollow-ground for stabbing.
  • The Yari spear heads varied in length and design, with some having long blades known as omiyari and others having leaf-shaped blades called sasejo Yari for cutting.
  • Japanese Yari spears were attached to the shaft differently than in other parts of the world, with a long Tang going into the shaft and metal bands reinforcing it.
  • The Jumanji Yari spear, with blades on either side, allowed for parrying, cutting, slashing, hooking, and hitting techniques in combat.
  • The Katakama Yari was a variation of the Jumanji Yari with a blade on one side, making it lighter and more maneuverable for combat.
  • Projections on Yari shafts, known as hadome, could be added retrospectively for hooking and parrying benefits, enhancing the spear's combat capabilities.
  • Yari spears came in various lengths, including shorter versions for home defense or police use, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of these pole arms.

13:36

Japanese Pole Arms: Yari, Naganata, Bo, and More

  • Samurai fighting on foot typically used Yari, with lengths varying from seven to nine feet, depending on the purpose of use.
  • Yari lengths could extend up to 18 feet for specific situations, but most were around 10 to 12 feet, with individual Samurai opting for shorter ones.
  • Yari variations included spikes or shoes on the back end for shorter ones, while longer ones were primarily used at the front end.
  • Naganata, often termed a Japanese glaive, emerged post-Mongol invasions, featuring a blade on a long shaft, with a construction similar to Japanese swords.
  • Naganata lengths varied, with blades typically ranging from 30 to 60 centimeters, requiring ample space for effective use due to its cut and thrust nature.
  • Naganata design remained consistent over centuries, with a distinct cross-section that influenced other Japanese blade designs.
  • Bo, a simple staff, was crucial due to its omnipresence and its role in training for other pole arms, serving as a foundational weapon in martial arts.
  • Nagamaki, a sword with an elongated handle, is considered more of a sword than a pole arm, not extensively discussed in the list of Japanese pole arms.
  • Kanabo, a mace-like weapon, varied in size and material, serving both lethal and non-lethal purposes, including anti-armor applications.
  • Masakari, a lesser-known Japanese pole arm, was an ax used in warfare, with various styles and lengths, developed to counter heavy armor in the 14th to 16th centuries.

27:38

"Pole Arms in Japanese History"

  • The Nanty Bow is a Chinese import, essentially a sigh attached to a pole, popular in Okinawa, possibly from the Ming Dynasty.
  • It functions like a Yari, a spike on a stick, possibly a cheaper alternative, part of a set of three weapons known as Tori mono sandogo used for law enforcement during the Edo period.
  • The Tori mono sandogo includes the Tsukobu, a pushing device with a T-section end, the Sodagarami, a forked pronged weapon for entangling and controlling, and the Sasumata, a crescent blade for pinning individuals.
  • The Sodagarami was inspired by a Chinese weapon, designed to control and subdue individuals, with barbs and hooks to entangle opponents.
  • The Sasumata, similar to the European man catcher, is a crescent blade on a reinforced shaft used for pinning individuals to stop movement.
  • The Yari and Naganata were the predominant pole arms in Japanese history, with the Yari showing a wide variety of designs, while the Naganata remained relatively consistent, both being crucial in Japanese warfare.
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