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Weapons of the Samurai
The most common weapon associated with the samurai is the
sword, but there were many weapons they used on the battlefield. Below are some
of the most common weapons that were used by the samurai during large scale
battles.
Arquebus
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The arquebus (an early version of the musket) "consisted of a
short barrel and chamber with a touch hole to which a hand-held fuse was
applied" (Turnbull, Samurai: The Story of Japan's Great Warriors, 2004,
pg 202). Aiming the arquebus was rather cumbersome and required two hands to
accomplish. Used only in large scale battles, it was the weapon of the infantry,
though in times of need the samurai was quite capable of handling the arquebus.
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Bow
| The original weapon of the earliest
samurai. Used primarily from the horse, the yumi is a bit different from
a western bow. It was nearly twice a tall as the warrior welding it, and was
held just above the level of the head when drawn. Made in layers from several
pieces of wood, it was then faced with one or two layers of bamboo for
reinforcement and then lacquered to protect it from the elements. |
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Pole arm/Spear
| The naginata (glaive or pole
arm) and the yari (spear) were used by the mounted samurai as well as
foot soldiers and warrior monks. The naginata consisted of a long, thin,
and curved blade on a strong wooden shaft. Though used in by mounted
samurai during large scale battles, it's flexibility of use made it popular for
individual combat as well. The less versatile yari was a straight spear
used best in close combat on a battle field. When used by a samurai it was
usually called a mochi yari, and is seen being used as a lance when on
horseback. |
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Swords
| Ah, yes. What you've all been waiting for: the samurai sword.
The katana or long sword was considered the soul of the samurai and is
the most famous sword in the world. The samurai sword gained its prestige mostly
during times of peace and was used in duals as well as on the battle field. The katana was actually two pieces of
metal welded together. A soft iron core was either welded to or encased within a
steel edge. Both were folded repeatedly before they were forged together. This
technique of sword making is considered by many to be the key to making the
world's strongest sword. Along with the katana was the wakizashi,
or short sword, and together they made the daishō
which was the "badge of exclusive privilege" of the samurai. During large scale
battles, however, the tanto (dagger) was used in place of the
wakizashi as a more practical weapon. Much more could be said about the
katana, but that would take up another entire web site. |
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See the resources page for books with more details
about the katana and other weapons of the samurai. I recommend anything
by Stephen Turnbull you can find.
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