Units [list, specifications, features] (Total War: Shogun 2)

Yari Ashigaru



A squad of Ashigaru armed with long spears, who are good in melee. You can also build an impassable for cavalry wall of spears.

The spear is quite a useful weapon that can be used in different ways. It can be equally well applied in small skirmishes and big fights. In addition, it is extremely effective in attack and defense. The spears Yari Ashigaru are so long that resemble the peaks.

With such weapons can be safely lead the attack or hold the enemy in a vise. These soldiers were marching training, they don't have the samurai skill and dedication to master. It is best to use several units of Ashigaru to enable them to form an unbreakable wall of spears. Any cavalry, stumbled on spikes, will be destroyed, and riders with horses are like a sieve.

In the Sengoku period Yari (Japanese spear type weapon which is a spear, and with many modifications) is widespread among the Ashigaru and Samurai, despite the fact that their fighting techniques were different from each other. Lined up in a line, Ashigaru put their lances in front of him on the ground. As soon as the riders are approaching, in order, they would raise their spears up. At the last moment the soldiers put the blade in horses. The spears remained stuck in the enemy until until he received an order to regroup.

Broken Crescent

Taken from here

Screenshots of the units have long posted a topic information about the game, and it's just a description with the picture.
PS something to me, these names did not say anything
Okay, I get the hint. Look what I can do ;)

Jari

Yari - Japanese spear type weapon which is a spear, and with many modifications. The term appeared in the kamakura period.

Information
3 Jari


History

The most ancient Japanese spear was hoko. Tips hoko was Bush, rhombic in cross-section with a pen length of about 25 cm. Sometimes they are additionally supplied with a hook, like a hook. To the Nara period include the appearance tabako - "hand-spear" with straight or slightly curved tip of about 30 cm, with protruding ribs. At first, it featured a small staff and may have been used for throwing, but to the period of Nanbokucho its length increased to 1.8 m, and it became known as Kikuchi-Yari. In the second half of the Muromachi period spears be prevailing and there are various modifications.

Tip Jari


Design

Classic Jari consists of a shaft (ECU or nagae), which is attached to the tip (Ho). The shaft length 1,8—2,5 m, in cross section, usually circular or many-sided (and not oval), made of oak or, less frequently of bamboo. Tips were the length 15-90 cm and differed xiphoid form, fastened with shank (Nakago). They are allowed to inflict piercing and slashing attacks. Thanks to these tips Jari can be classified as a Glaive. Sometimes 30 cm from the tip were made metal base of Kadoma. Normally tsuba. For more reliable fastening end of the shaft supplied with the mounting sleeve (habaki) and washers (of SAPP). At the lower end were the inflow (of ishizuki), which could be used for strikes. The upper part of the shaft Lateralus and wrapped with cord (San-Dan Maki).

Tip jumonji-Jari


Varieties

Su-Yari
Also sougou-Jari. Simple spears with straight tip. The shape of the tip included:
- Sankaku-Jari — with a triangular stylus.
- Re-shinogi-Jari — with feather rhombic cross-section.
Of Sasha-Jari — with pen in the form of a sheet of bamboo.
The length of the shaft:
- Omi-Yari — exceptionally long Yari. Sometimes at length reached 6.5 m Such spears were used only against cavalry.
- Te-Yari short spear for combat in the room. With a total length of 2.1 m, 15 cm tip.
There are also fukuro-Jari with the stub tip.

Kama-Yari
Means "spear-sickle". Had extra blades.
- Jumanji-Jari or magari-Yari — Japanese runka. She has two additional blade ed was slightly bent forward.
Katakana-Yari is the weapon had one additional blade or more asymmetric blades.
Of cetamura-Kama-Yari and cetamura-Jumanji-Jari — Jari facing back side blades.
- Kagi-Yari Yari from normal differed only by the presence enshrined at the base of the tip is directed forward of the hook to capture enemy weapons.
- Bishamon-Yari — a kind of halberd with two axes with concave blades.

The Ikko-Ikki

The Ikko-Ikki, a powerful religious movement that shook Japan in the late XV - mid-XVI century. Its founder was a preacher Renne (1415-1499), a follower of the teachings of the Pure land. According to this doctrine, the most important value of declared work, which attracted the broad masses of the population. After fleeing from the jealous monks of Enryakuji in 1471 Renne settled in the province of Kaga. Soon formed around him a new sect of the Ikko. After the war of Onin impoverished peasants seeking solace in religion, has expanded the ranks of the sect to 200 thousand people.

Information

History

Spiritual leaders take this opportunity, revolted and seized power in the province of Kaga. They tried to capture and the neighboring province of Echizen, but was repulsed by the strong feudal home of the Asakura. Soon the Ikko-Ikki were fixed in the province of Mikawa, where in 1496 he began to build a huge fortified Ishiyama Honganji temple, the site of which now stands the Osaka castle. Movement Ikko-Ikki were not uniform - he was supported by the peasants, the clergy and the impoverished samurai. The latter gradually took leadership positions, which led to the militarization of the sect. It actually turned into a large feudal army, used with the purpose of territorial conquest.

So, in 1532, the Ikko army laid siege to the wealthy city of Sakai, where there was a strong Buddhist sect Nichiren Buddhism, rather, by the way, intolerant of other religious currents. After heavy fighting in Sakai soldiers of the Ikko-Ikki moved to the city of Nara and burned the monastery Kofukudzi, and then went to Kyoto. Sectarian supported the monks with G. Hiei and were in the capital. All the temples of the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism were burned, and some areas of the city is still recovering from the war of Onin, again razed to the ground. From the complete destruction of Kyoto saved the daimyo of Hosokawa Harumoto and sect hobo - their combined army laid siege to the Ishiyama hongan-JI, forcing the Ikko to return to rescue his followers.

A brutal war between religious sects stopped only in 1534 Ikko-Ikki raised his head again thirty years later, actively opposing the plans of ODA Nobunaga's unification of the country. Cultists several times opposed Ieyasu and Nobunaga, while in 1580 the latter is not erased from the earth their main temple Ishiyama Honganji. The soldiers of the Ikko were serious opponents. Confident, that, after death, will gain a resurrection in the Pure land, they fought, without sparing neither his life nor anyone else's. Nobunaga paid them the same - so, after the capture of the temple Nagashima in 1574 his entire 20 thousand of the garrison were executed.

Warriors and weapons

Warrior Ikko-Ikki
(modern reconstruction)


Arquebusier Ikko-Ikki. Modern historical reconstruction. A warrior dressed in black armor Mogami-charata with jet-black cords connecting the horizontal plates of armor. Such pairwise weave cord called space-odoshi. Armor of three parts - the chest and two side leaves the back of the warrior open. Between the bib and sides are joined with iron hinges. At the bottom of each of the three sections of the armour with cords attached trapezoidal nabedrennik, Hassan. Each Gassan consists of four horizontal plates connected by a double cord.

The upper part of the small hands cover the shoulders tosey, soda, also with a pairwise netting, but the lower plate of the shoulder pads is bound in a classic style hisioi - up from the bottom are two horizontal rows of x-shaped intercept of the line, and then one row of the cord passed through otvetiv plate as a dotted line. Deviation from the classical picture is the same color cords in all rows while the x intercepts are supposed to be red, and dotted cord - and-white. The lower part of the hand to protect Shino-gote of narrow black plates that are attached by links of chain mail for the black basis of the dense fabric. Noteworthy distinctive helmet of iron plates, connected by decorative ironwork and rivets, and forging, and rivet is made purposely convex. The impression of some grubovato helmet is even more emphasized by embossing. Overall the helmet (the so-called Psycho-Bati, or Haruta-Bati) are typical for schools of gunsmiths polar cod, located in the eponymous town of the province of Kii.

Some dissonance in the way of making a half mask hanbo. Red lacquer, it clearly belongs to another armor. A warrior armed with arquebuses, which is somewhat shorter than the extant arquebus XVI century, and two swords. Tucked in his belt the cutting edge of the blade up a short sword koshigatana, and on the side hanging down with a blade long sword Tachi. This combination was more typical for the rider than for the Marines, which already since the middle of XVI wore the katana and wakizashi.

Distinctive features

Two items are given to understand that before us soldiers of the Ikko sect: helmet pommel decorated with medata, made in the form of characters of the Sanskrit alphabet, used only for sacred purposes, and red banner of sashimono depicts a black three-legged hawk, which was the symbol of Kumano Shrine in Kii province.

The warrior is not like an ordinary infantryman ashigaru, which are usually settled for a simple cuirass and a triangular hat jingasa, but at noble samurai, who were many in the ranks of the Ikko-Ikki, he did not like. Most likely, this small samurai landowner in the rank of long range co-gasira (Sergeant of arquebusiers), commander of a detachment of 10-30 people.

Samurai

Samurai in feudal Japan in the broad sense — the secular feudal lords, from large sovereign princes (daimyo) and ending with the petty gentry; in the narrow and the most frequently used value — military-feudal class of petty nobles. Although the words "samurai" and "bushi" is very close in value, but "bushi" (warrior) is a broader concept and is not always related to the samurai. Also, in some definitions, the samurai is a Japanese knight.

Information

The very word "samurai" comes from the verb of "samurai", literally meaning "to serve as a superior person"; that is, the samurai — serviceman. The samurai — not just soldiers-knights, they were the bodyguards of his daimyo (see below), and at the same time his servants in daily life. The honorary position of superintendent of his master sword, but there were such positions as "Keeper of the umbrella" or "feeder of water in the morning, after sleep."

Armed samurai in armor.
(photo 1860)


History

The origin

According to most popular opinion, samurai originated in the eighth century in the East, North-East and the extreme South of Japan. On the outskirts of the Empire settled here since ancient times, the Ainu tribes fiercely defended their land from the Imperial troops. The basis of the samurai made up the fugitive peasants and free hunters, seeking "land and freedom" on the borders of the Empire. Like the don and Zaporozhye Cossacks, they spent their lives in ceaseless campaigns and skirmishes with the belligerent natives, protecting the state border.

Until the end of the IX century, especially in the North of the current territory of Japan, the war raged. To counter lurks at every step danger, the settlers built a fortified settlement and waged a bloody struggle for existence, participating in punitive expeditions on the territory of the natives.

Dangerous was life in other provinces of the then Japan. For several centuries in the coastal waters hunted pirates. In the interior, forests and mountains, ravaging, pillaging gangs. All over the country and uprisings of the peasants. In these circumstances, the governors and the provinces, especially the border, would not, and could not rely on the Imperial government and troops, and prefer their own to restore order. To do this, they of the able-bodied men created a small military formations under their direct command.

Military units commanded by members of the nobility, owners of large estates, that is private land, which they had given to the Imperial government. The owners of the estates tried to expand his allotment, capturing new ground in military campaigns and cutting down forests.

In X—XII centuries. in the process of feudal strife was finally formed sovereign childbirth, chaired the considerable military forces that were only nominally in the Imperial service. By that time has developed the foundations of the unwritten moral code of the samurai "Way of the bow and horse" ("Kyuba-but Mitya"), later turned into a set of commandments "the way of the Warrior" ("Bushido").

The beginning of the allocation of the samurai as a distinct class is usually dated to the reign of Japan feudal house of Minamoto (1192-1333). Prior to this protracted and bloody civil war (the so-called "Confusion of Gampa") between the feudal houses of Taira and Minamoto created the preconditions for the establishment of the Shogunate — the reign of the samurai class with the Supreme commander ("shogun") at the helm.

The Golden Age

The Golden age of the samurai is the period of the first Shogunate before the war of Onin. On the one hand, it was a peaceful time (not counting attempt of the Mongol invasion), on the other, the strength of samurai is not as great as when the Tokugawa (when almost one in five Japanese were samurai), which allowed the samurai to have a high standard of living.

After the victory over the house of Taira Minamoto no Yoritomo forced Emperor to assign him the title of shogun, while the fishing village of kamakura, which housed its headquarters, turned in his residence. Now the shogun was the most powerful man in the country: the highest ranking samurai and the chief Minister in one person. Although officially the Supreme authority in the state belonged to the Emperor, and the court retained a certain influence, the dominant position they have lost, the Emperor was forced to agree with the decisions of the shogun under the threat of "voluntary" abdication.

Yoritomo established a new management body of the Empire, called the "field rate" ("bakufu"). As shogun, most of his Ministers and their assistants were samurai. Therefore, the spirit samurai class has penetrated into all spheres of public life of Japan.

An experienced military leader, Yoritomo to all the important posts in the provinces he appointed people that earned his trust in the war of Gempei. In addition, each province has established two new posts of military Governor and head of the land, subordinate to and reports directly to the bakufu, the head of which was the shogun. Thus, the shogun and his Ministers were well aware of what was happening in the country, and could, if necessary, to take timely decisive action.

Camacuri Shogunate, which lasted about a hundred and fifty years, opened a new Chapter in the history of Japan and samurai.

The era of civil wars

Over time, military governors became more independent of the Shogunate. They turned into the big feudal lords, concentrating in their hands the rich land allotments. Especially strong at home the South-Western provinces of Japan, which significantly increased their armed forces.

In addition, thanks to bustling trade with China and Korea, the feudal lords of Western and South-Western provinces, where it had been conducted, was greatly enriched. Camacuri the Shogunate, not wanting to be reconciled with the strengthening of the individual samurai houses, interfered with the trading activities of the feudal lords, what was one of the reasons for the emergence of opposition sentiment against the Shogunate Kamakura among the samurai houses.

The result Camacuri the Shogunate was deposed, and the title of shogun passed to members of the house Ashikaga. The first shogun of the new dynasty became the Ashikaga Takauji. The head of the new Shogunate left destroyed during the civil strife of the previous bet bakufu — kamakura and together with all the government moved the Imperial capital of Kyoto. Once in Kyoto, the shogun and powerful samurai, in order to catch up with the arrogance of the court nobility began to build magnificent palaces and gradually wallowed in luxury, idleness and intrigues of the Imperial court and started to neglect state Affairs.

The weakening of Central authority immediately took advantage of the military governors of the provinces They formed their own groups of samurai which attacked its neighbours, seeing every enemy, until, finally, the country has not erupted full-scale civil war.

The last phase of this war in medieval Chronicles referred to as "the era of warring provinces" (Sengoku Jidai). It lasted from 1478 to 1577 years.

In the middle of the XVI century, it seemed that the Empire torn by civil war will fall apart into separate States, but the daimyo of the province of Ovar (in the Central part of Honshu island) ODA Nobunaga managed process to start new enterprises in the country. Having neskollko successful military campaigns against the feudal lords and defeating some Buddhist monasteries involved in internecine wars, ODA Nobunaga was able to conquer his power center in the country with the Imperial capital Kyoto. In 1573 he deposed Ashikaga Yoshiaki the last shogun of the Ashikaga family. In 1583 one of the temples in Kyoto, Nobunaga committed seppuku to avoid capture by the army to betray his General.

The unification of the country continued one of the most able generals of Nobunaga — Toyotomi Hideyoshi, uneducated, vain, but intelligent and strong-willed son of a peasant of the lower classes. He continued the work of his patron with ruthless determination and by 1588 had actually United the country.

In the era of civil wars there has been some blurring of the boundaries of class, so as a successful commoner could, like Toyotomi Hideyoshi, not just to become a samurai and to make a career (he Toyotomi Hideyoshi, being the son of a simple farmer, could not become shogun, but he was without a title). Blurring of the boundaries of the class also contributed to the fact that many generals in that age were used as auxiliary military force of unprofessional soldiers recruited from peasant families. Further undermined the traditional samurai laws levy the duties imposed by ODA Nobunaga.

However, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the erosion of the samurai class was temporarily suspended. Hideyoshi's edicts confirmed the special privileges of the samurai, and imposed a ban on seasonal work of the peasants. Decree of 1588, commoners were strictly forbidden to own weapons. Began the so-called "hunting swords", during which the peasants disarmed.

In 1598 Hideyoshi died, leaving power to his minor son, instead of which public Affairs had to lead the Regency Council. It is from this circle soon gave birth to the man who completed the unification of the country by the establishment of absolute rule, Tokugawa Ieyasu. He chose as his residence the city of Edo (now Tokyo), cunning and force eliminated Hideyoshi's son and proclaimed himself shogun, beginning the Tokugawa Shogunate, the era which lasted for more than two hundred and fifty years.

Sunset

The samurai class received a clear design during the reign of the Japan of the shoguns of the feudal house of Tokugawa (1603-1867). The most privileged stratum of the samurai was a so-called hatamoto (literally — "under the flag"), who were direct retainers of the shogun. Hatamoto the majority was in a position of serviceman layer in the personal possessions of the shogun. The majority of samurai were vassals of the princes (daimyo); often they had no land, and received from the Duke a salary of rice.

The code of conduct of the samurai "Bushido" was imbued with a spirit of unquestioning obedience to the Lord and contempt for death. Tokugawa law permitted samurai to kill with impunity in place of the "commoner who neprilichnym way behaves towards members of the military class." During the reign of the Tokugawa when the internal feudal wars were stopped, troops of samurai was used mainly to suppress peasant uprisings.

However, the daimyo did not need such large squads of samurai that existed earlier, in the period of the feudal wars, and the number of samurai in their military units declined. Part of the samurai become ronin (declassed samurai, vassal of the princes of which had ceased; ronin often became citizens, engaged in trade, Commerce and other activities). Other samurai have joined the ranks of ninja assassins.

The process of internal disintegration of the samurai class increased markedly since the mid-eighteenth century. The development of the manufacturing production and the strengthening of the urban bourgeoisie resulted in a gradual economic degeneration of the samurai. More and more samurai and even influential daimyo fell into debt to usurers.

A kind of inferiority complex, born to a samurai their strange position found expression in a heightened longing for the traditional spiritual values. Everywhere there were different schools of martial arts. With the new force broke extinct at the time of the civil wars, the interest in Zen philosophy, tea ceremonies, painting, and engraving, fine literature.

Many samurai, not even turning to the situation of ronin, engaged in trade, crafts, etc., Ordinary samurai (especially in the principalities of Satsuma, Choshu, Tosa and Hizen), closely associated with the bourgeoisie, played a significant role in the incomplete bourgeois revolution of 1867-1868 (see Meiji ISIN). After the samurai class, like other feudal estates, was abolished, but the samurai lost their privileged position.

Samurai of the Satsuma clan during the Boshin war


A significant portion of the samurai, even during the Tokugawa actually owned the land (goshi), became after the agrarian laws of 1872-1873 and legal owner of this land, joining the so-called "new landlords". From among the former samurai was replenished with personnel officials, they were mainly officers of the army and Navy. The code of "Bushido", the glorification of samurai valor and traditions, the cult of the war — all this was part of the ideology of militarist Japan before the Second world war. The term "samurai" and is now sometimes used to refer to employees of the Japanese army.

Bushido

Ethical code of conduct of the samurai in medieval Japan. The code appeared during the XI—XIV centuries and was formalized in the first years of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Famous Samurai

Rivals of ODA Nobunaga in the fight for the unification of Japan who actually had a chance to enter in the number of unifiers of Japan:
- Takeda Shingen
- Uesugi Kenshin

the unifiers of Japan:
- ODA Nobunaga
- Toyotomi Hideyoshi
- Tokugawa Ieyasu

famous fencers:
- Miyamoto Musashi

famous Heroes:
- Minamoto Yoshitsune
- Forty-seven ronin
- Of Kusunoki Masashige (before the Meiji restoration was considered a criminal and a disgrace to the samurai, as opposed the Shogun, standing on the side of the Emperor)
- Shinsengumi samurai loyal to the shogun after the Meiji restoration and revolted against the Emperor, establishing the Republic of Etsu

Ronin

Ronin ("wave-wandering", "wanderer") — declassed samurai of the feudal period of Japan (1185-1868), lost the protection of their suzerain, or has failed to protect his master from death. The etymology of the term ronin dates back to the periods of Nara and Heian, when it meant servants, who fled from the land of his master. In rare cases, a stranger not having on a foreign power, free warrior.

Information


History

Scary man, the Ghost that haunts the dreams of the government officials and making the most cowardly of them to Wake up in a cold sweat; warrior, released to float aimlessly wandering back and forth like waves in the sea – all this is ronin, which literally means human-wave.

Ronin there was a great variety, according to some authors, about 400 thousand, but all of them can be divided into three large groups:
- rich vassals voluntarily abandoned their posts;
- "fired" for any "small act," their masters. Ronin, who belonged to this group, usually trying to earn the forgiveness and redeem himself to be allowed to return to their former posts;
- this group consisted of ronin, which is located at the bottom and expelled from the clan for misdemeanors and misdemeanors or greed. These ronin did not advertise the names of their former owners.

Groups of ronin, we have identified only three, but the reasons for which samurai could become ronin, much more. First of all samurai could be born a ronin, if his father was a samurai without a master, but did not want to give up the status of a warrior. Faithful servant could be dismissed or he resigned to commit any risky, moguchie to cast a shadow on the clan or on the host. For example, the samurai was willing to punish the offender of his master, but while he is associated with the clan, he can't do that in the public eye clan and Lord were not considered accomplices. Then the samurai becomes ronin, breaks the connection with the clan and Lord and goes to carry out his plan, and then returns to the clan. After the appearance in Japan of the Europeans, many samurai went to see him in training, becoming the pre-ronin, then to share with the clan knowledge. The status of ronin, you could get by joining a clan of artisans.

Ronin were left to themselves and had a stable and visible means of livelihood, so many of them are trained martial arts for a fee – those who could afford it. They often entered the service as bodyguards (ezimba) to the rich merchants; many others existed due to robbery — that is, they joined the gangs of bandits (or have founded their own), whose presence cast a terrible shadow over rural areas. Underworld, each major city was awash with such people, which some authors call "the knights errant with a bad reputation." Their only occupation was to bear arms and, therefore, from time to time to carry out violence.

Throughout the historical period under the rule of the Tokugawa ronin formed a numerous and active class of warriors, whose ranks were replenished by the destruction of many clans, of which the Tokugawa was considered unreliable. Ronin wandered the countryside, hiding in large cities, and ultimately had to develop a certain independence of thinking, aided by the possession of weapons, the former for them as law and custom, and livelihood.

Ronin still despised the common people, some of them even began to stay with defiant arrogance with their former comrades-in-arms, but most of all just wanted to find a new master. However, it is their desire was difficult executable, and its execution prevented their situation, and the few who wanted to accept the service of the vassal, creating a precedent for future relations.



Over time a ronin to love your new way of life, much more free than what they were before, and so loose as possible to rigidly klasificirano in a society. Lifestyle tumbleweed forced to use mental skills at 100% and not stop when it reaches the then accepted norms. Those ronin who continued to bear arms and has not lost its own identity quite sharply stand out against the rigidly stratified society of feudal Japan.

Many ronin tried to take in society available to them paramilitary post town guards or commanders of troops organized to protect various objects such as villages, farms, warehouses, etc. Sometimes these soldiers showed such outstanding fighting skills that some daimyo had invited them to join his clan and so ronin could return to his class. Many, however, are so accustomed to the new life that refused such a tempting offer and continued to travel the country, engaging in a fight with all who dare to challenge them (or make it).

Ronin was the perfect soldiers, because they had to rely only on themselves and to always be ready to fight and the best military leaders of the country recognized their military potential. Even the huge armies of Ieyasu almost nothing to do with huge groups of ronin have lost all at Sekigahara for Ieyasu and became personal enemies. One detachment of ronin under the leadership of the Sanada Yukimura made his way through the ranks of enemies and is very close to the headquarters of Ieyasu, pointing to decently fear for his vassals and generals.

As a separate social group ronin was one of the most powerful forces in the coalition United to fight when the Tokugawa established a system of direct subordination to the provincial rulers, which they helped to overthrow for the sake of universal obedience to the Emperor and his new army they finally found their rightful place.

Individualist of necessity, ronin was forced to rely only on himself and his fighting skills (especially the ability to handle a sword and a spear), when he challenged the belonging to some clan samurai (who were usually in the company of other samurai), which found itself affected by the existence of such a social freak. In the end, ronin insulted all the laws and customs of the clan culture just by being who he was Moreover, the samurai could feel that killing such a person, he would cause someone displeasure, or that the owner of the killed soldier and other members of the clan will try to get him back — the ronin was not a master, no clan.

As recently as the late nineteenth century judo master, Yokoyama Isamu, have witnessed the collision of one of these wandering warriors "in much worn clothes and... obviously very poor" with three young samurai. The young man was ronin forced to accept his challenge to a duel due to the fact that he accidentally touched his scabbard, the scabbard of one of them.



In accordance with the custom of the opponents exchanged names and drew their swords. Three samurai were opposed by a lonely warrior, on the side which, apparently, were the sympathies of the witnesses of this match.

Sharp swords glistened in the sun. Ronin, for the imperturbable mind which it was possible to think that he only fulfills the fencing techniques in a training fight, slowly advancing. He directed the tip of his blade at the samurai, located in the center of the trio, and seemingly not noticed those who were on each side of him. The samurai in the centre fell back inch by inch, and ronin still forward. There's a samurai who was on the right, decided that sees a vulnerable place, and rushed to the attack, but the ronin, obviously foresaw this movement, parried his attack and with lightning rapidity dealt the enemy a fatal blow. Samurai, located on the left attacked next, but it suffered the same fate — after a single blow he fell to the ground, covered with blood. It all happened in seconds. After seeing what happened to his comrades, samurai, which has left its original intent and made a run for it.

Ronin well, having dealt with the enemies, went to the nearest police station to report the incident as required by law. And all this happened in the nineteenth century!

For centuries, these men traveled across the expanses of Japan, coming all its length and breadth, often carrying deep down resentment against those who caused them insult other soldiers, their lords and masters. Character ronin has often led to outbreaks of individual violence and made him a popular figure among commoners, which sometimes could see another hateful samurai fell into the hands of the unknown hero.

Survival ronin had to have a very extensive range of knowledge in the field of martial arts – as it is possible for a human being. And he had to own how the traditional methods of fight practiced by representatives of the military class, and those were distributed among the common people.

You can often find the assumption that ronin, freed from traditional ties linking him to any particular Lord or clan, automatically becomes an enemy not only of individual rulers and Samurais, but most system Japanese feudal society, which also made him a defender of the common people, who, in the end, helped him to survive. However, in most cases, that assumption would be incorrect. Of course, ronin had every reason to be resentful at his fate, but most often (with very few exceptions) his resentment arose not from the fact that he believed the whole system is unjust and oppressive, but rather because the will of fate, he was excommunicated from his clan and a place in this system. However, a bad relationship with the bushi could not reconcile it with any other social class to which he (like any true warrior of the feudal era) have an unaffected scorn. You could even say that the independent position did ronin even more haughty and arrogant than a full-fledged samurai as a samurai, nor the laws of the clan had no effect. He alone shall decide in accordance with the circumstances, and his freedom when it was not accompanied by a limiting influence feelings of personal responsibility could give rise to an uncontrollable beast that can deliver a lot of trouble to the police forces of different cities. Indirect mention in military Chronicles "manual ronin", which contained the peasants, to learn from them martial arts, in fact, tells us that in relationships with others many of these soldiers often behaved like a wild, ferocious animals.

In General, he always was and remained a warrior, which supported the belief in the stability of their own status, despite the fact that he was excommunicated from the military organization Buka. Yes, in some cases, the soldier could take a truly independent stance, which as a result of the confrontation at the individual level, the enormous pressure of the ruling groups in society could give birth to a figure of heroic proportions. The exploits of such legendary figures form the basis of the most thrilling episodes of Japanese literature and history.

Modern Japan

In modern Japan the word "ronin" is often used as a metaphor to refer to a person who failed the entrance examinations to higher educational institutions. These "ronin" is usually forced to visit a preparatory course to gain a passing score in the future. Obviously, these people are called ronin because they do not have their "own" schools as historical ronin were not overlords. In addition, there is a similarity in their disgraceful situation, and the level of suicides among modern "ronin" is significantly higher than their more successful competitors. The image of a modern ronin film, for example, in the story of the anime Love Hina.

Katana

Katana - Japanese long sword (Daito). The shape of the blade resembles a katana sword, but the hilt of her straight and long, allowing you to use two-handed grip. The pommel is missing. Contrary to General opinion, rolled not cut, and cut, causing the sliding punches. A slight bend of the blade and the sharp end can be applied also jabbing. Unlike the Tachi, katana is also a civilian weapon of the samurai, like European sword from nobles of the XVI—XIX centuries.

Information
Katana


History

Katana appeared in the XV century as a consequence of the evolution of the Tachi, and was used from the end of XIV century (early Muromachi period) as the traditional weapon of the samurai, especially in combination ("large-small") with a short wakizashi ("small sword"). Katana is largely similar to the earlier Chinese sword Miao Dao. Authentic Japanese katana are easy to find on line hardening (Hamon), due to using special techniques of forging and tempering, and the hilt (tsuka), covered with Stingray skin and wrapped with silk ribbon. Stitched was used as a normal skin. Carved handles of hard wood or ivory are found only in a decorative and ceremonial swords. The blade of the katana consists of at least two different grades of steel: viscous for the basics (core) and solid for cutting. Both components were first purified by repeated addition and welding, before of them forged blade.



In a narrow sense, the katana — a curved (cutting part out) bastard sword with a blade length of two or more shaku (2 shaku is approximately equal to 60,6 cm) and handle of various lengths. The weight of 750-1000 g. If the length of the blade less than two shaku, it is a wakizashi, if less than one shaku — the dagger (tanto, aykuti, hamidashi). The sheath for all three types of swords are called SAI; they are made of wood and covered with lacquer. Metal scabbard only have mass produced swords of the twentieth century, however, and they are equipped with wooden lining.

"Weapon of the soul"



The Japanese katana was not just a weapon - it reflects the spirit of the Japanese nation and was a symbol of social classes, administers history for centuries. Although the sword is not the most ancient weapon of Japan, it occupies in the history and mentality of the country a special place. The first Japanese swords were very much like his Chinese fellow – a direct sword "Jian" and a little like a katana. Such swords were actively used for the first classes of samurai in the early middle ages, and even then, the sword was practically considered a "weapon of the soul" of the military caste. The ratio of samurai to the sword and ethics "Ken-zuzu" was an integral part of the code of "Bushido", which determined the way of life of the samurai. Along with the mirror, and Jasper necklace, a sword was among the sacred symbols of Imperial power. The sword was also a hallmark of social status of a warrior, a symbol of purity, and – unique to Japan - best precious gift.



The sword was presented to illustrious people, the sword was introduced into churches about special events, gave to the ambassadors of other States as a sign of respect. The rules of wearing of the sword was strictly regulated by etiquette.

After the appearance of the katana, this sword was considered a symbol of samurai dignity, "weapon soul" noble warrior, to comply strictly with elaborate rituals, even the daily wearing of the katana. The signs of dignity of a samurai was their own. For example, one of them was the availability of a large variety of swords 10 or more, differing in the shape and colors of the scabbard and handle. All swords were meant to be worn in different situations: on court holidays, the hunt, in war. For example, if the samurai wanted to Express their love of peace, he hung his katana on his right side, as to extract it from the scabbard was more difficult. Katana on his left side meant that her master is "ready for war".



Come to visit, the samurai handed his katana to the servant, who bowed and placed the sword blade up on a special stand. If a samurai came to visit an old friend, he was shooting even a short blade wakizashi, hanging under his right hand the hilt to him. Wrapped to the other party a handle could be interpreted as an insult, because such a gesture meant the question of the owner of the blade in a fencing skill of the opponent. If the source accidentally touched the sword of his guest, perceived the latter as a threat to his honor, and could even cause friends to fight. If the owner of the house sincerely admired the beauty of the blade and asked to admire it, touching the blade through the thin fabric, that is, on the contrary, was considered a great honor for the owner.

From the point of view of the Japanese blacksmiths, sword really was worth something, if it was enclosed the soul of a blacksmith. The story includes a very interesting fight, in any way rivaled the greatest gunsmiths of the XIV century Muramasa and Masamune. The Smiths drove his katana into the bottom of a small stream, turning the blades against the tide. At that time it was autumn and all the leaves that fall on the blade of the sword, Muramasa, there are cut in half, and the leaves that were close to the Masamune blade, went around it, not touching. Muramasa in this fight has admitted defeat, as the Japanese "mythology of the sword" says that the sword is not a weapon of aggression, but the weapons of the world, and its true purpose — to prevent and stop war.

The use of the katana

In feudal Japan the training of the use of the katana looked more than cruel – just created a katana cut the prisoners to see what effect the sword has on bone and tissue. Katana sword in form, had a slightly curved blade, allowing the blade to stay longer in the slit thereby penetrating deeper into the wound. Many of the fighting techniques of the samurai was done deliberately so that with only 10-15 cm of the tip of the sword to penetrate into the body for 5-10 see It allowed much easier and faster to make a cut and pull out the sword for later use.



The sword fight continued for several seconds, and, not to miss, the samurai sought to acquire a variety of tactics. They have found a more clever techniques than the obvious "strike first", allows the opponent to make the first shot and then the attack became fatal for him. In all this lies the idea to deceive the opponent, in the same sense, endowed with almost all the battle sword Eye movement and body the samurai were the enemy of a certain picture, in which he attacked, and in response acted unexpectedly. The samurai of the old school, not waving their swords, keeping a cool calm before the decisive moment. They knew that "if it's too high to raise the sword, it will be difficult to deceive the enemy."

Manufacturing technology

Every nation has its heroic defenders, a mythical-real figures, heroes of legends and myths. The Ukrainians is the famous Cossacks, the Russians, the heroes, the Japanese have the samurai.
Translated from the Japanese word "samurai" is derived from the verb "saburai" means "one who serves the upper class". The warrior-the samurai is not only a "warrior", but a highly educated man with good manners, who is not being alien to violence, was a noble, religious, honest and humble..

About the samurai in many legends and each of them the constant companion of the great warriors had weapons. It is known that in the early period of development of feudal Japan, warriors of Japan were armed with sword and knife, but eventually the arms of the samurai has changed. By the beginning of the 12th century, the samurai wore a couple of swords, called "Dyce", augmented with a knife. Dati pair (or Tachi) – wakizashi was meant to be worn with armor, while wearing the same casual clothes Thaci has replaced the katana. A great sword was worn in a sheath, and the small have shut up for the belt and served as a spare or backup weapon. Both swords were made by one gunsmith.

The samurai sword was a symbol of his honor, military art and dignity, as well as official confirmation of his belonging to this class. One could hardly invent more insulting to the samurai than the deprivation of his sword.

All the more surprising in this light is the fact that in reality swords, which today is called "samurai" came to Japan from Korea. There are documents, dated mid-7th century BC, where the weapon's description is similar to the Tachi and the katana is called "Korean". Before the appearance in Japan of this form of swords the soldiers used straight double edged swords – "Tsuruga" and quite long-range bows "o-Yumi", retained its place in the list of samurai weapons and later. It is known that due to the design of effective shot from the bow samurai could be done at 250-300 meters.

Regarding the manufacturing technology of the classic katana early feudal period, there are still some differences. This is due, mainly, to the fact that our time has come are not many written sources on this issue. The wizard avoided the trust your secrets to paper, and those who are still doing this, too frequently resorted to allegories, understandable to the disciples gunsmith, but little is speaking to the layman. For example, steel for the manufacture of the sword recommended to heat, until it becomes similar in color to the moon in July. More or less accurate and meaningful comments left to posterity the master Masahide, whose activity belongs to the New period.

The component parts of the katana


The Japanese would not be Japanese, if not endowed samurai katana magical properties. To increase the power of the master sword, many swords Smiths caused the special characters and magic formula. This was done in order to ward off evil and encourage good. Signs are supposed to attract good spirits to the owner of the sword, free it from the influence of bad forces. Often the sword was applied to images of the heavenly bodies, because, according to many beliefs, they are more likely to affect human life on earth. Due to the fact that the Japanese sword was considered not just a weapon, but a kind of talisman, protecting the wearer from evil, forging of the swords was accompanied by a large number of specific religious rites.

Katana-Kaji (Japanese blacksmith) could not proceed on such an important matter without requiring the purification of the body. Each forge was equipped with an altar, where the blacksmith was preparing to work, purified the spirit, morally tuned to create a decent weapon that will help his future owner to fight evil. Samurai sword, according to the majority of the references had some kind of soul and, thus, Smith not only created the sword, how much helped him to be born. After cleansing and meditation he wore clothes of Kuga and decorated the Studio SIMA – straw ritual ornaments, which symbolized purity and safety. Only then was it possible to get to work.

The process of making a samurai sword was complicated and long. First of all, ore, Japanese or imported, cleared from the sand. In the process of melting and forging, floated between the pieces of metal with different content of carbon. In the manufacturing process of the blade the workpiece is heated and cooled, stretched and bent more than fifteen times to achieve greater density. Masters of some schools practiced and somewhat complicated method of manufacture of the sword, at which, among other things, it was necessary before each folding a metal strip in length to clear it from dirt and scale. This helped to achieve even greater strength of the blade.

Then the blade is polished on the rough and fine grinding stones and subjected to hardening. Also for the treatment of the sword used stone powder, specially prepared paste and other abrasives. The resulting blades were as strong as the Damascus and the far East, they were considered the best in the world.
Over time, Japan has ceased to be closed to Europeans by the country. Already in the late 18th century for the manufacture of swords were used overseas, European metal, which the Japanese called "ambalance" – "imported metal" or "metal southern barbarians."

The farther, the more attention has been paid to the decoration of the sword. Round Garda (tsuba) – detail of the sword to protect the hand and decoration of the sword (the hilts, head of the arms) was created by special masters and was often considered no less important parts of the sword than the blade itself. Tsuba by the famous masters were the greatest asset and pride of the owner of the sword.

Due to the fact that the samurai was not a single army and, as a rule, each of them had a sword, the length of the katana was not standard and varied from 63 to 80 cm.

During the reign of the Tokugawa war to a halt and the samurai Katanas were, first and foremost, a symbol of the military class, and not military weapons. Therefore, the samurai pays much more attention to the decoration of their weapons. Samurai armor of the late 18th century is not only elegance, but also the richness of its decoration. Therefore, many high-ranking Japanese demonstrated the wealth and power of his family.

For the samurai the sword was a part of the soul. With the sword parted only when he would lose his life. And now a samurai sword is a piece of history, the opportunity to become a little closer to the era of strong spirit warriors, honest and noble.

It is known that you cannot buy the bravery and loyalty of the samurai, but you can buy a katana. Perhaps she will be able to protect his master from the machinations of evil forces.

Waco

WAKO - Japanese pirates. Waco terrorized the shores of Korea and China since the thirteenth century, and initially consisted mostly of the soldiers, ronin, merchants and smugglers. Two centuries later, however, there has been a significant advantage in the direction of the Chinese.

Information

The pirates started to earn one in the sea of Japan in the early thirteenth century. WAKO mainly focused on the Korean Peninsula and Yellow sea to China. In those days, China was forbidden to his subjects in person to trade with foreigners, so that trade between China and Japan occurred solely at the state level. The Chinese authorities believed that the restriction of private trade will make Waco to go to other places, but this only led to the fact that many Chinese traders decide to trade with Japan, and then, only illegal. These events brought Waco on the second important stage in the development of Japanese pirates in the sixteenth century colluded with their Chinese counterparts have increased and thus their strength. During this period, the composition and the leadership of Waco has significantly changed and become more Chinese. To 1550-ies Waco wielded all the seas of East Asia, going even to such large river systems as, for example, the Yangtze.

The term "wokou" is of Chinese origin and the Japanese pronounce it as "WAKO". This word "wo" stands for belonging to Japan, i.e. "Japanese", and "kou" (H) – "bandit, the enemy, the aggressor." The earliest mention of "vako" was found in the year 414 regarding the Japanese aggressors with the Gwanggaeto Stele. Also, this term is used by Chinese and Koreans for scornful and offensive names of the Japanese.

The composition of the pirate brethren

According to the annals of the Joseon dynasty in 1395 Waco managed several small and medium size daimyo, located in the coastal areas of Japan. At that time, the pirates consisted of small farmers and fishermen and a total of 20-400 were placed on ships. One of the main reasons for the emergence of piracy as such was feudal fragmentation and political instability in Japan at the time.

There are also fake WAKO, who only pretended to be Japanese pirates. In the annals of the Joseon dynasty Sungman Lee (Sunmong Lee) said: "I heard that at the end of the period of the Koryo dynasty, Waco roamed this land and peasants could not resist them. However, even if 1 or 20 of these accidents were committed by WAKO indeed, some of our peasants wore the same clothes used to gather in groups and cause so much troubles...to stop all these devils, there is nothing more urgent than Hopae (a way of identification at the time)".

Similarly, as in the Japanese Chronicles, the records of the Kingdom Min after one particularly large RAID of the pirates can be read: "do Japanese pirates had three people out of ten, and the remaining seven were only followers."

Since sentences Tanaka Takeo (Takeo Tanaka), a wide recognition in Japan was the suggestion that the Waco reputation was earned not only by Japanese sailors, but also those who are under them were disguised. And the above Sulmona If it was not an invention, because he urged the ruler to realize the seriousness of the danger Waco to society and the importance of the device itself for identification. In order to distinguish the real from the fake Waco, used different ways. In particular, it was stated also that only three incidents were vyzvany fake Waco.

The Kamakura Period

Officially, the first RAID of the Waco staged in 1223, on the South coast of Korea. The book Chronicles Korean state contains entries about how "the Japanese (referring, of course WAKO) attacked Gonizzi (Gumju)". Two more minor attacks are recorded in 1226 and continued for four decades. Most of the pirates were from Tsushima (Tsushima) and Hizen (Hizen). Under diplomatic pressure from Korea, the Shogunate of kamakura (Kamakura) attempted to rein in the pirates. In 1227 muto of Salieri (MutM Sukeyori), the authorized representative of the shogun in Kyushu (Kyushu), beheaded 90 suspects in the raids, in the eyes of the envoy from Korea. In 1263, after Tsushima Waco RAID to Ungjin (city in South Korea, now known as Gonczi (Gongju)) the representative of Japan confirmed the policy of a reasonable limitation of the retail trade and has forbidden piracy.

Shortly before the Mongol invasion to Japan WAKO were pretty quiet, which is associated with the efforts of military training in Korea: in 1251 and 1265, in particular, strengthened Gonczi. The kamakura Shogunate consolidated its power in Kyushu and was now much more capable of mobilizing and managing teams of former WAKO, aimed to counter the Mongols. After the Mongol invasion the Shogunate and Korea has weakened, which has led to a new strengthening Waco on the seas. In 1223, for example, was made an extensive RAID on the province of Jeolla. Raids such as this occurred frequently until the end of the XIV century.

Period Nanboku those

Due to the fact that a strong and centralized power in Japan was absent in 1350 Waco resumed their raids. For the next half-century pirates who were immigrants, mostly from IKI (Iki) and Tsushima, the "handle" of the southern half of Korea. The peak of activity Waco peaked in the decade between 1376 and 1385, when in Korea it was no less than 174 instances of pirate attacks and some particularly large gang numbered more than three thousand thieves, penetrating into the very depths of the Korean government.

Pirates often plundered and the Korean capital Gaeseong, and once even reached the mouth of the Taedong river (Taedong) and Pyongyang area (Pyongyang), sacking grain warehouses and stole slaves, to obtain ransom for them. In such circumstances, tyagchayshee raids Waco, dynasty the Bark fell in 1392. And then the power came to the fore General Yi Seonggye, who have earned this honor, having achieved success in the war against Waco.

Then in 1375 the king of Korea resumed its cooperation with the Muromachi Shogunate (Muromachi) through the messenger of the shogun in Kyushu, which was Resewn Imagawa (Imagawa RyMshun). In 1377 the great statesman Jeong Mong-ju was warmly welcomed by Resona, and several hundred prisoners WAKO was returned to Japan. However, Kyushu was under the strong influence of the southern court and therefore neither the Shogunate nor his representative could not cope with the pirates, despite the promises made.

In 1381, for example, the Muromachi Shogunate issued an order prohibiting "akuto" (i.e. "criminals", "gangs" and various "evil political party" (opposition, therefore) to cross the sea to Korea and to "commit excesses". In 1389 and 1419. the Koreans attacked the pirate settlement on Tsushima and received assurances from the Keeper of Tsushima that the raids be stopped. But to call these assurances truthful is extremely difficult.

Waco also showed activity in China, where the first RAID was was in 1302. The economic embargo imposed on Japan by the Qing (Qing), and later Minh, made smuggling the only way to ensure the flow of Chinese goods. Trade through the Ryukyu Kingdom was covered with China and eventually in 1609 it was captured by Satsumas.

In 1358, and then, in 1368 WAKO raids continued all along the East coast, but most of all pirates have attacked modern Shandong (Shandong). By the end of the yuan dynasty (Yuan) WAKO raids became even more intensified, and the first RAID in the days of the Ming dynasty occurred in 1369, in Zhejiang province (Zhejiang).

In response to the actions of the pirates, the Emperor Hongwu (Hongwu) sent his commanders to construct a number of FORTS along the coast and dispatched two envoys to the southern courtyard of the Prince Kanenaga (Kanenaga). For the first time Japan had brought the threat of invasion, if she doesn't rein in his Waco.

Prince Kanani (Kaneyoshi) claims China is not impressed and he returned the messenger killed, refusing in parallel from the requirements. However, when in 1370 came second messenger, the Prince obeyed and sent the following year, their ambassadors, which subsequently returned more than seventy men and women, captured in Minjo (Mingzhou) and Taizhou (Taizhou)

The system of payment of tribute of the Ming dynasty

In 1392, Yi Seonggye (who would later become famous as the winner of the WAKO) founded the Joseon dynasty, shifting the mode Koryo (Goryeo) in the Korean Peninsula. In the same year by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (Ashikaga Nina might be working for) had finally resolved the conflict between the Northern and Southern courts in Japan.

Fan Guo Zhen (Fang Guozhen) and Zhang Shi Cheng (Zhang Shicheng), which dominated the regions of Jiangsu (Jiangsu) and Zhejiang (Zhejiang), established on coastal Islands several bases. They were related to Waco and, perhaps, Hu Wei Yun (Hu Weiyong) and Liu Xiang (Liu Xian) have also been involved in the pirate uprising.

For Mina Waco was not just a threat from abroad, Min strengthened the prohibitions regarding navigation (the Chinese were forbidden to go beyond "their" sea) and to control trade with Japan through the tribute system, using the policy of the monopolization of trade and protection from piracy.

While the initiatives of China and Korea was favorably received by shogun Ashikaga on Waco is not affected. They continued to attack China, at least until 1419. This year, a large pirate fleet of more than 30 vehicles gathered at Tsushima, and then sailed North along the Korean coast of the Yellow sea. The pirate fleet was constantly under surveillance and was finally trapped and broken on the way from Wanjiru (Wanghaigu) to Latona (Liaodong) provincial military commander, which is said to have possessed an army of 700 or 1500. After this incident, the Waco party avoided Liaodong, but commuting to other areas of China.

Dynasty Joseon invaded Tsushima

In Korea, the Waco was stopped by the provincial daimyo from Western Japan, which signed an agreement with the Koreans. With the end of the Koryo dynasty and the beginning of the Joseon dynasty in the coastal areas of Korea became more frequent raids in the mornings. The founder of a new dynasty, as already stated, became famous as the winner of the Waco, he ordered to strengthen the coastline, in order to resist the raids.

The new ruler of Korea also appealed to the Shogunate and its representatives in Kyushu with a request to stop the activities of pirates in favor of legitimate traders. In exchange for certain privileges, it gave authority From Sadashige (SM Sadashige) to trade with the Japanese courts, i.e. With the clan was the ruler of Tsushima province. After his death, power was seized by the leader of the pirates of Sementara Soda (Soda Saemontaro), because the son Sadashige, Sadamori (Tsuzuketeru - Sadamori/Tsutsukumaru), was still an infant. Suffering from famine, pirates invaded China in 1419. On the way to China, they visited the Korean province of Chungcheong and Hwanghae but their request to allocate some food was left unanswered.

After receiving reports of these incidents, the Korean yard is proposed to invade Tsushima. 9 June 1419, king Taejong declared war against Tsushima, citing that he already belongs to the dynasty. With the clan after talks with Korea agreed to make some effort to stop pirate raids in exchange for trading privileges and access to three coastal Korean ports.

Recent Waco raids

In the 1550's and 1560's. again there was a surge of activity in the mornings. The peak of this activity occurred in the era of Jiajing (Jiajing) and Wanli (Wanli), and the most "quiet" the pirates were in the days of the Ming dynasty. For example, from 1369 to 1466 WAKO raided Zhejiang 34 times, on average once every three years. And from 1523 to 1588 they attacked, he is already 66 times, averaging once a year.

Unlike the earlier times Waco, Waco XVI century consisted not only of the Japanese, although most of them by this time were ethnic Chinese. Japanese pirates also often called "bahan" (in Portuguese transcription "bafan") that hieroglyphs recorded or as "bafan" ("Hachiman", the God of war), or as "pofan" ("tattered sails"). According Zhouhai Tubian, Satsuma, Higo(Higo) and Nagato (Nagato) were the provinces where pirates just flourished. Followed by Osumi (Osumi), Chikuzen (Chikuzen), Chikugo (Chikugo), Hakata (Hakata), the Hyuga(Hyuga), Setsu (Settsu), Harima (Harima) and the island of Tanegashima (Tanegashima). Natives Buzan (Buzen), and Bungo (Bungo) and Izumi (Izumi) is also often participated in the attacks.

Inequitable taxation and property system, combined with local corruption, forced many Chinese peasants from Fujian, Guangdong and Zhejiang to try his luck at sea. After Min forbade the navigation, the election forced the local authorities made these people dissidents.

They sometimes pirates and sometimes merchants, former peasants used their good knowledge of the area for successful attacks. In 1533 the war Department of the government of Mines complained that armed fleets of pirates pillaged the coast as I wanted. They also often smuggling and raiding fleets of traders and competitors. During the 1540-ies disparate groups of Chinese pirates have become much more organised they gathered on Islands of the East coast and colluded with the Japanese.

Thus, acts of piracy and foreign trade were intertwined. In 1523, for example, the Hosokawa trading company in Ningbo (Ningbo) attacked their opponents from the family Outi (Ouchi) and expelled them from the city. Commander Min, persecuting whistle-blowers, was killed in a naval battle.

After a fight in Ningbo, in 1524, a proposal on the appointment of the Governor with the authority to protect the shores of the island. Supporters argue that the Japanese were a greater threat than the Mongols and that administrative arrangements in effect on the Northern boundary, should be applied here. In 1529, after the soldiers of the garrison, equipped to protect the coast, rebelled and escaped with the pirate gangs on the scene were sent to the inspectors, which was to verify the protection of coastal fortifications, to coordinate further the fight against piracy, and to punish the organizers of the rebellion. In 1531, this civil servant was transferred and not replaced by anyone.

Joo WAN (Wan Zhu)

From 1539, the tribute system was abolished. The size of Japanese fleets sailing to trade with private Chinese entrepreneurs, growing each year. But also growing and related violence. The most typical attack of Waco at this time were to attack from their strongholds and rapid withdrawal to the court. In many collision cases with violence were results of the conflicts between the rich families and their creditors. One of the estates of the family Xie (Xie) in Seoune (Shaoxing), it was looted and burned in the summer of 1547 for this reason.

In November 1547 Zhu WAN was put in charge of protecting coastal areas in Zhejiang and Fujian, and had to suppress piracy. In February 1548 a large pirate fleet attacked the coastal areas of Ningbo (Ningbo) and Taizhou (Taizhou). Killing, burning and pillaging everything on their way, the pirates have not met a decent resistance.

Zhu arrived in Ningbo in April and shortly thereafter led the attack on the fortress of Waco on the island Shuanggu (Shuangyu). In March 1549 he attacked a large merchant fleet, located off the coast of Fujian (Fujian). Nevertheless, as a result of impeachment Zhu, despite all his success, was removed from office and committed suicide in January 1550. His forces were disbanded

Wang Zhi (Wang Zhi)

To 1550-m years. the Chinese merchant Wang Zhi had organised a large trading syndicate and commanded a well-armed fleet, hiring of sailors and soldiers to protect it. Between the years 1539 and 1552 he cooperated with local quartermasters several times, waiting for the easing of the ban on foreign trade. But when in 1551, the ban has only tightened, Wang began to organize large attacks on official establishments, granaries, County and district Treasury and, by chance, in the next area, and so were plundered. Banditry on the coast of Zhejiang has become so prosperous that the inhabitants of towns and villages had to erect Palisades.

In the spring of 1552 a few hundred pirates attacked with all the available places on the coast of Zhejiang, and by the summer of 1553 Wang Zhi assembled a large fleet and organized a RAID on the coast from Zhejiang to the North Taizhou (Taizhou). Several garrisons were quickly taken, in several places it was necessary to arrange the siege. Early in 1554 fortified bases on the coast of Zhejiang have made raids into the Chinese territory. In 1555, the "dealers" close to the big cities in the Yangtze Delta Hangzhou (Hangzhou), Suzhou (Suzhou) and Nancing (Nanjing). The raiders Waco has created many fortified bases in many cities and fortresses on the coast of Zhejiang, and the total number of garrisons in all the fortresses consisted of about 20 thousand men.

There was two Chinese commanders most famous in opposition to Waco, it was Qi JI Guang (Qi Jiguang) and Yu Da Yu (Yu Dayou). Both men grew up in the coastal provinces and knew the rules of war at sea. Qi gathered about 4,000 people, known as the "Qi Family army". "Army" consisted mostly of farmers and miners. Qi won a number of battles in 1555, protecting Taizhou. The first significant victory of the guano was the case in 1553, when his sailors, stormed the fortified camp Waco on the island of Patusan (Putuoshan) and drove them there. Two years later he was killed about two thousand Waco North Jiaxing'and thus won the greatest victory in the wars with the pirates.

Hideyoshi

When Hideyoshi Toyotomi in the 1580s took Regency over Japan, he and Minh worked to stop the activities of pirates and pretty successfully. However, once Hideyoshi ended with all blood relatives of his old enemy (the HOJO clan – Hojo), he demanded from the Korean Joseon dynasty rights through her land in order to invade China. Korea refused, and Hideyoshi invaded Korea and Manchuria (1592-1598 gg.). The term "Waco" in this case used to refer to the attackers, that is Japanese. Initially, Hideyoshi managed to achieve some success, but then Japan miserably lost Admiral Yi Sun-sin of the Korean province of Jeolla and the approaching Chinese and Korean armies forced Hideyoshi to retreat.

The sunset of piracy

Before disappearing completely, the number of pirates has been decreasing and that overall decline there are several reasons. As a rule, most of Waco began to return to traditional Maritime activity and the law prohibiting the sale of sea gradually disappeared. History gives many examples, one of which is highly paradoxical, but nevertheless he was, in 1550, the Portuguese were granted permission to settle in Macau in exchange for an Alliance with the Ming against Waco. The Portuguese staged two operations, the first of which can find mention in letters to Joe Zhu (Zhu Wan), one of the leaders of the anti-piracy campaigns. The second case is better documented and talks about a joint Chinese-Portuguese confrontation with pirates in the Pearl river Delta in 1564, Mr..

Furthermore, the advent of the Portuguese resulted in the weakening of trade restrictions, at least in the area of Canton. Perhaps the mere presence of well-armed Portuguese ships contributed to the decline in piracy. In addition, interaction with portalname led to the abolition of the system of tribute, which ultimately had a beneficial impact on local legitimate traders. But it is more likely that the Portuguese could offer the products from India and Indonesia at a more attractive price, making them a kind of smugglers towards Waco. Waco could not withstand such competition and eventually went back to normal activities.

Hideyoshi also caused extensive damage to the activities of pirates. Two bills in particular have undermined the very existence of pirates. The first of these is the famous law of "hunting swords", launched in 1588 sword Hunt was one of the main reasons for the confiscation of the daimyo of weapons from the peasants – was thus offset by the possibility of an armed rebellion. Daimyo whose religious beliefs and loyalty to Hideyoshi doubt, was subjected to repression. In fact, such actions Hideyoshi disarmed and Waco because they had no place else to acquire weapons, and they themselves are now doubly, if not triple broke the law. The second bill was aimed directly against the pirates, in particular, representatives of the daimyo tried every hook and crook to get a confirmation that the seafarer is not involved in the raids and looting. If any daimyo decided to resist the implementation of this order and allowed Waco and then animaties their craft, then his possession would simply be confiscated.

Policy of Korea aimed at a world that took Waco under control in the late XV-XVI centuries After the Korean invasion of Tsushima in 1491, the activity of WAKO in Korea has fallen dramatically. In 1426, king Sejong changed foreign policy from the perspective of war on the position of the world and opened trade with Japan three ports on the coast. In 1443, Korea and Japan signed the agreement implies that Japan will control the activities of Waco, as well as legitimize the trade between the Korean ports and the island of Tsushima. Also an attempt was made to build a special shopping area Chilgok, which, however, were not intended for permanent residence. Thanks to the good-neighborly policy of Joseon activity WAKO decreased between Korea and Japan is peace. However, the Japanese later tried to increase trade and tried to apply for permanent residence in Waegwan'e, which led to another dispute between the countries. In 1510, the activities of Japanese merchants in the allotted three ports were suppressed by the Korean army, and ports were closed before 1512, Before the Japanese invasion in 1592 for the official trade was only open one Korean port Jaepo.

Nodate

Nodachi ("field sword") is a Japanese term referring to a large Japanese sword. Some, however, of the opinion that nodachi is a close synonym of odati ("great sword", "o-Tachi") and means a very large Tachi. The term is not meant originally any kind of Japanese military sword in very big sizes (daitō), such as thieves, but nowadays are often (incorrectly) used that way.

Information

Nodate


In Japan nodate received in the XV century the big distribution in connection with heavier armor. Nodachi was used as a weapon of the infantry in combat. The use of nodachi in rooms or other confined spaces presents certain difficulties. The main reason that the use of such swords was not widespread was that the blade is much harder to forge than the blade of the sword is of usual length.

Japanese tatami refers to swords, honorary prefix O means that the person or object has special significance. In peacetime, the sword was worn over the back like a status symbol. It was something special, because other Japanese swords such as katana, wakizashi, and Tachi were worn at the waist or at the hip. However, it is not "snatched" from behind. Nodate, because of its great length and weight, was a very complicated weapon, but in the right hands deadly. Stick length was about 1 shaku (30.3 cm) or slightly more. Nodate had better cutting properties than the katana. According to legend, including the sword cut the rider and horse from top to bottom at one stroke.

It is often used together with a spear, because with the long blade he was perfect to defeat the enemy and his horse in one fell swoop. Because of its weight it could not be used everywhere with ease and usually discarded when the melee began. Sword, one blow could kill multiple enemy soldiers. After using nodachi samurai used for close combat short and handy katana.

There were two way of wearing.
1. Behind. It was impractical because it was impossible to quickly enough to grab the sword.
2. The other method was easier to wear swords in hand. During the Muromachi era was made that the samurai followed the squire, who at the right moment helped pull odati from its sheath.
Styles of fencing from nodate pay more attention to the downward cutting strokes and a solid grip of weapons.
Nodate completely out of use as a weapon after the war, Osaka-Natsuno-Ching 1615 (battle between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi of Higaeri in the son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi).

The reasons for loss of popularity
1. After 1615, the battle stopped.
2. The government of the Bakufu issued a law according to which it was forbidden to have a sword more than a certain length. After the law went into effect, many nodachi was cropped to conform to established norms. This is one reason that nodachi so rare.

Nodate no longer used for its intended purpose, but was still a precious gift in the period Shinto ("new swords"). This became their main purpose. Due to the fact that their production requires the highest skill, it was recognized that respects, inspires their appearance corresponds to the prayer to the gods.

Dimensions:
Blade length: 134
Thickness: 5/16
Handle: 23
Weight: 4,35 kg

Ashigaru

Ashigaru ("Lightfoot", that is "not covered with armor") — a kind of light infantry in medieval Japan, the samurai's main weapon which was a spade. Ashigaru were called the infantrymen of the Japanese armies in the late middle ages. Ashigaru were the most numerous part of samurai armies and their actions on the battlefield is largely determined by the outcome of struggles between competing daimyo.

Information

History

As a noticeable force in the military history of Japan ashigaru appeared in the late XV century. Introduced in Japan in 1543 arquebuse also contributed to the increase of the role of ashigaru on the battlefield and at the same time contributed to the transfer of Japanese arms art to a new stage of development. A logical manifestation of this transition bullet-proof steel armor, particularly the breastplate type okegawa-up from riveted, not sonorously plates. Cheap and durable okegawa-up was carried out in the second half of the XVI century to equip many soldiers-ashigaru in large quantities to replenish the army daimyo.

Figurine Ashigaru


Equipment

Unlike the samurai, ashigaru he endured all things. Food was stored in a dozen small cloth bags tied together — each bag contained rice for one meal. A bunch of bags were hung on the neck, and so were driven. Ashigaru might also have a bag of useful things, which were tied to the belt. The list of its contents is of undoubted interest. It includes paper, medical supplies, salt prunes, antidotes, money, brushes for writing, a small knife and a coil of rope. One of the chiefs recommended that ashigaru to carry in cold weather a few pods of red pepper as a means to keep warm.

Unarmed servants (Wakata) and pages (Ko-mono) wore the same dress, except before and Kote. Instead, they wore a short kimono, and their only defensive armour was jingasa.

The nature of other items of equipment ashigaru entirely dependent on his military expertise.

New weapons and tactics

Ashigaru has formed the backbone of samurai armies in the later periods. The real change began in the mid-16th century with receiving firearms from the Portuguese and Dutch traders. Almost immediately local daimyo started to equip their own ashigaru with the new weapon that required little training period compared with Japanese large onions, demanding lessons a year.

The advantage of the new weapons was decisive in the war of the samurai. This is especially demonstrated in the battle of nagashino in 1575, when carefully placed his ashigaru with rifle fire stopped the attack elite red cavalry Takeda against the lines of defense of the clan ODA and broke the back of all his army (an event shown in the final scene of the movie "Shadow warrior").

After this battle the ashigaru began to be powerful additions to traditional samurai. They were actively used during the invasions of Korea in 1592 and 1597. If in the first invasion the ratio of muskets and bows was 2:1, the second is 4:1, as firearms have proved their effectiveness. Later, ashigaru were also used during the war on the territory of modern China.

Monks-warriors

Information
Warrior-monks of mount HIE procession through the streets of Kyoto with their micosi (1146).


It is considered that Buddhism is a very peaceful, pacifist religion, but this view has nothing to do with truth has not. The best evidence of extreme intolerance and aggressiveness of Buddhism is the existence of militant monks, which played a prominent role in medieval Japan. With the X century there were two major Buddhist sects with centres in Nara and on mount Hiei. These monasteries contained numerous private armies that terrorized the countryside. Monks armed with naginata (long spear), as well as swords and bows, and participated in many conflicts of the X-XIV centuries, shifting from the throne of the emperors, and not behind the samurai in battle.

The daily life of the Ishiyama Honganji (1570).


In the Sengoku period of the XV-XVI centuries, the warfare of Japanese monks has changed. The influence of the old monasteries in Nara and Hiei decreased, but at first the plan made by new sects, such as Nichiren-Shu and Blue. Sect Blue managed to raise such a powerful army that overthrew daimyo (barons) and organized his own "Principality". Fortified monasteries in Nagashima and Ishiyama Honganji was not inferior to the power of the samurai castles, and the Ishiyama-Honganji temple survived the longest in the history of Japan siege. Monasteries served as centers of technological progress, in particular, monks from Negoroji famous for its art of shooting a musket.

The warrior monk Ikko-Ikki:
1 - arquebuse;
2 - head of a warrior-monk;
3 - the banner of Ikko-Ikki;
4 - bannersotoba Ikko-Ikki;
5 - the flag of the detachment of the Ikko-Ikki of Kaga province;
6 - Uesugi Kenshin (1530-78 years);
7 - Takeda Shingen (1521-73 years);
8 - swordkatana.


History

For centuries and trace their origins to the monks-warriors, and is in fact something between monks and warriors.

For example, in the schools of the Zen sect of those who called the Librarian, or Leader of the congregation, — all ordinary monks, equal in status to ordinary soldiers serving in the province.

The next step — officials and assistant teachers — corresponds with the officer rank of the leader of a knight squad, any estate (possession, district) or the commander of the infantry.

When the motley monks wear religious robes, holding symbols of power in the hands and lead large groups of people, they are called Elders or Masters. This corresponds to the status of warriors, having its own flag, its symbolism and the rod, symbolizing power; the position of commander of a detachment of cavalry or infantry that can lead the troops and command armies, or a commander of archers.

Warrior monks in battle with Yuji (1180).


However, when it comes to studying, practice military formations is not so good as compared to the methods of the Buddhist monks. Explain in some detail The path of knowledge of the Buddhists is: a simple monk left the monastery of his teacher to visit the many famous monasteries and sacred mountains, to meet with many learned masters and enlightened guides, and to succeed in the study of Zen Buddhism and knowledge; if someone goes through the levels of official or assistant teachers, or becomes an Elder or Master, even if he becomes the Abbot of the main temple or monastery, he will still not hesitate to continue the study of Zen Buddhism to its full completion, waiting for the time when it will be time to appear in front of his teacher.

It would be desirable to have something like that among soldiers, but ordinary soldiers engaged in unobtrusive service, receive a salary even when idle. Because they are not lack of food, clothing and shelter, even the very young have wives and children. They did their work morning and afternoon NAP and not in school or working on improving the martial arts skills that are mandatory for soldiers, even less are paying attention to the vague comprehension of the essence of military and combat principles.

Wasting every day on things, so they spend months and years, their hair turns gray and falls out. Reaching the appropriate age, they receive their well-deserved status. If, for example, they become messengers or emissaries, that somehow with the help of colleagues perform the assigned work, but if they have an unusual mission in a distant province, they will be taken by surprise and alarmed. Even during the preparation for the journey they get professional advice from predecessors and learn the traditional teachings of the Protocol; if in the end they will perform the work, consider, happily escaped.

Defense Tokyo warriors monks from Hokke-Shu from the rebels Ikko-Ikki (1528).


We can't say that this situation is normal for a warrior in the service. Explain some of the details. The official duties of the military class are usually clearly defined, and you should study them well until he took office. When you meet with an able and experienced officer, leave empty talk and find out things the knowledge of which can help you in the future. Who, listen carefully and memorise. Learn and adopt the ancient teachings on the duties and Protocol, even illustrations, make copies for future references. And if you learn the primary duties for the various positions, no matter what position you took afterwards for you will be easy to perform all the necessary.

The warrior-monk from Nara or mount HIE (CA. 1100)
1 - one of the ways to wear head coverings;
2 - headband (hachimaki);
3 - Buddhist beads;
4 - wooden sandals;
5 - swordtouchy;
6 - different types of naginata.


Moreover, learning how to do the job, thanks to seniors and colleagues and do your job with them is a way of action in normal times. In the event of a crisis, on the contrary, because you can't take the help and guidance of others, has no choice but to make decisions at its own discretion, for the benefit or harm.

For example, the military inspector must know the number of enemy troops and combat readiness of their forces and the level of training, the security system of fortifications and castles of the enemy, features and advantages of the locality in which they are located, and the prospects for victory in battle. For this reason, the service of the military inspector has traditionally been considered one of the most difficult. However, the error in the calculations of any military inspector can lead only to wrong individual decision.

When the same mistake is committed at the level of the commander of the infantry, and upstream of the persons authorized to give orders, it affects the life and death entrusted to the commanders of the troops; so to disgrace a detachment of soldiers inept command — is the ultimate crime.

This is similar to how a follower of the sect of Zen, who has neglected to study the tenets of religion when he was a simple monk who becomes an Elder or Master, putting on bright clothes bearing the symbols of power and who heads a large group simply because they grow old and bald.

However, when a charlatan like this monk, say something stupid publicly, it becomes a national laughingstock; he's the only one who's ashamed, and he can leave — there is nothing dangerous to other members of the community. In contrast, when the commander makes a gross miscalculation in the leadership battle, it threatens the lives of his soldiers and leads to large losses.

It is important to understand it and consistently use their free time to improve your knowledge of military and combat principles. Learn and practice so that it was not duty that you will not be able to perform, even if it is a command.

Naginata

Naginata, which literally means "long sword" is a Japanese polearm with a long tip single edge in the form of a simple blade without any additional hooks or spines. Her fighting qualities similar to the Glaive or sovna (but unlike this weapon, the naginata is easier), but also erroneously can compare with the halberd.

Information

Naginata


History

This weapon was used by the Japanese since ancient times, but the first mention of the naginata date from the late seventh century. During the reign of the emperors of the era of the kamakura and Muromachi naginata has gained the most popularity and widespread. Initially, it used simple grunts mostly against the riders and for hemming the legs of enemy horses. Subsequently, well made and ornate naginata began to appear riders highborn. In addition, the naginata was adopted by the samurai and became a favorite weapon of warrior monks. Since the beginning of the XVII century and the middle of the XIX century it was a status weapon women of the class of samurai and was meant to protect the home in the absence of men.

Description

Naginata is a long handle (just the handle, not the shaft) with oval cross section and a tip in the form of a broad scimitar-shaped blade with one-sided sharpening, a little full at the end. This weapon is applied to slashing and piercing attacks. Just below the attachment of the tip to the handle may be a circular guard. Blade length was 30 cm, and the handle was about 2 meters. Later in the course of history the arm was shortened to a more comfortable length and 1.5 – 1.2 m. Such a smaller and lighter option became quite common and were used in the training.

In addition to a simple naginata in Japan, there were also other types of such weapons. One of them, the closest to it, is called bisento. It is also a weapon with a long handle and such a naginata blade. It differs a bit more size and weight, another technique of fighting: weapons taken from a wider grip, the strikes and return to the tip side of the handle, and the leading weapon hand close to the guard. Kick bisento you can easily cut off the head of not only man, but horses that naginatas almost impossible to do.

In Japan existed more than 400 schools teaching fighting techniques naginatas. The study of such combat style and is currently practiced in traditional schools of Japanese martial arts.

ShamomahS
Thank you, that will be read before the release.

as more or less knowledgeable person in Japanese culture.
There's even the 1st percentage of the entire culture of Japan no.

Heartily thank you for work
Thank you, that will be read before the release.
Health.

Features of units

Cavalry

I'll start for the clan ODA. Nashtampuyut a crowd of ashigaru. It is cheaper. And more of them in the unit 2 times. Sorry ashigaru could not afford to keep a horse(wide pastures in Japan are there, and horses were expensive)

To Narimanbeyov
Ashigaru not only could not afford a horse, he could not fight on horseback. Read the topic on that link I threw the top. Everything is written there.

The old New soldier was taken? http://territa.ru/load/23-17-2

No, from the official website TW

There is a view about the monks etc.