Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Nov 16, 2012 3:32:41 GMT -5
Rikugun is the Japanese word for "army", and much like the kashindan, the armies of a daimyo can vary in their exact composition, but similar terminology is used throughout. In addition to serving personally, each of his retainers, based on the size of their income, are expected to supply different numbers of different types of troops. These men, especially the lower ranks, are often taken from their immediate leaders organized into specialized squads
The daimyo himself is often at the apex of the command structure. The various taishō (generals), bugyō (commissioners), and metsuke (inspectors) fall under his direct command, forming the core of his hatamoto ("those who stand under the flag"). In addition to these senior commanding officers and administrators, hundreds more 'stood under the flag' to protect the daimyo or serve other functions. These units were called ban ("guards"), such as the tsukai-ban (battlefield couriers/liaisons). Here was also found the daimyo's personal bodyguards, the elite samurai horse guards (see below). Also included were the personal attendants of the daimyo and those of other high ranking officers, such as koshō [squires/pages] and weapon/armor bearers, as well as doctors and clergy. The position of helmet bearer in particular was considered an honorable position, as a traditionally a daimyo or taishō would only don their helmet just before the start of a battle. Another notable unit within the hatamoto was the iro-ban (color guard), who bore the o uma-jirushi (great horse insignia), a device similar to the 'regimental colors', often a flag but sometimes a large object. This unit was under the command of the hata bugyō (see below). Filling out the ranks of the hatamoto were entertainers, ninja, and huntsmen, secretaries, or others (all depending on the preferences of an individual daimyo).
Beyond the hatamoto, there are two basic types of individual troops: samurai and ashigaru.
Samurai, as most people are likely familiar with, are members of the military nobility. Most, if not all, of the commanding officers will be of the samurai class. Any man of samurai rank would be accompanied by kinjū/tomo (personal retainers and attendants) on the battlefield. They are not sorted into units, but remain alongside their master (and can sometimes be low-ranking or young samurai themselves). Some have more than others, but even the lowest ranking samurai would generally have at least a single ashigaru spear bearer.
Although they are perhaps most famous in modern times for their swordsmanship, the samurai wielded a wide variety of weapons (the primary three being bows, spears, and swords during the Warring States period):
Bows: An asymmetric composite longbow, the yumi is made from bamboo, rattan, or leather. Despite its large size, with proper training a samurai can make effective use of it even while mounted. On foot, it is usually used behind a tate, a large, mobile shield made of wood.
While individuals can have preference for one type of weapon over another, the bow was both a symbol of authority and of a professional warrior during this period (the life of a warrior is sometimes encapsulated in the phrase "kyūba no michi", which roughly means "the way of the horse and bow"). Therefore most samurai will have at least basic proficiency with the yumi.
Polearms: Coming in many varieties, such as yari, naginata, or nagamaki, this class of weapons is prominent on the battlefield, where their longer reach and piercing capabilities provide certain advantages over a sword.
Swords/Daggers: Although the katana is often seen as the quintessential samurai weapon in modern times, it was not the only type of sword available to them. The older tachi and uchigatana, descendants of the katana, were still in use during the forum's setting.
These daito (long-swords) were often paired with a shorter blade, such as a wakizashi or tantō, to form a daishō.
Other bladed weapons include the yoroi tōshi, kodachi, kaiken, and nodachi. Straight-edged Chinese swords were also not unknown to the Japanese, and were referred to as tsurugi (this can also refer to older Japanese swords as well, such as the chokutō.)
More information about swords can be found here.
Firearms: The tanegashima, a matchlock rifle (or more rarely pistol), recently developed from the standpoint of the forum's setting. They are not in widespread use. Yet. Also included in this category would be the bo-hiya.
(It should be noted that, contrary to popular opinion, the samurai did not shun firearms on the basis of them being in some way "dishonorable".)
Staff weapons/clubs: There are several varieties, including the bō, jō, and kanabō.
Chain weapons: Including the kusarigama, kusari-fundo, and chigiriki. Although commonly associated with ninja, some samurai also used these weapons.
Siege weapons: They are not used with great frequency (it was common for defenders to lead sorties; when sieges were not resolved in this way, the most common tactic on the part of the besiegers was to simply surround the fortress, cutting off the defender's flow of supplies), but when they are, they tend to be trebuchets or catapults in the Chinese style.
Misc. Weapons: Tessen
Armor: See here or here.
Ashigaru are foot-soldiers, and would generally make up the bulk of any daimyo's infantry. Some of them are conscripts, but many others are professional soldiers or simple mercenaries. They are commoners, but if they served valiantly enough it was possible for them to be elevated to the rank of samurai (it was only in the later, more peaceful Edo Period that certain laws prevented commoners from becoming samurai).
Most ashigaru have basic proficiency with various weapons, including swords spears, and bows. However, they are often assigned to specialized units (see below), and so receive more extensive weapons training based on their unit's specialty. They were often equipped with tatami style armor.
The officer's chain-of-command for the fighting units are as follows:
Sōtaishō: Commander-in-chief. This position is often filled by the daimyo himself. It may also be be filled by the sōbugyō (see below) if the daimyo is otherwise indisposed.
The daimyo is guarded by kachi-ban (foot guards) and mounted o uma mawari (elite horse guards), the latter of which also sometimes leads charges.
Taishō: 'Generals', for lack of a better term, often named either 'samurai-taishō' or 'ashigaru-taishō' according to their particular command (it is worth noting that the taishō charged with ashigaru units are held in the same regard as those in charge of samurai units). Their troops are divided into units called kumi (-gumi when used as a suffix), which can have anywhere from 10 to 100+ men. Each taishō is responsible for a number of kumi.
Kumigashira: Officers in charge of individual kumi. Again, they are named either 'samurai-kumigashira' or 'ashigaru-kumigashira', depending on the composition of their respective kumi.
The ashigaru-kumigashira are generally in charge of specialist units: 'yarigumi' (spearmen), 'yumigumi' (archers), 'teppōgumi' (gunners), and rarely 'kakomigumi' (siege weapons). Thus, they are sometimes called 'yari-kumigashira', 'yumi-kumigashira', 'teppō-kumigashira' or 'kakomi-kumigashira'.
The samurai-kumigashira lead either 'kiba mushagumi' (mount samurai) or 'kachigumi' (foot samurai) units, both of which tend to be smaller than the ashigaru units.
Kogashira: Lower ranking officers that serve under and assist the ashigaru-kumigashira. Depending on its size, a kumi may have several kogashira. Each has direct command over a smaller squad of individual ashigaru within the unit. The yarigumi generally outnumber the other types of kumi, and so 'yari-kogashira' usually lead larger squads.
While the taishō lead the fighting units, the bugyō are in charge of logistical functions. The highest ranking among them is the ikusa bugyō (army commissioner), also called the sōbugyō, the 'field marshal' to whom the daimyo might delegate strategic and tactical decision making. Also, if the daimyo is indisposed, the ikusa bugyō can take his place on the battlefield, as noted above. The hatamoto ikusa bugyō (hatamoto army commissioner) has overall responsibility for the logistics of the hatamoto.
Other bugyō positions include:
Maku bugyō: has the responsibility for the transport, siting, and erection of the maku. These were large cloth curtains bearing the mon (emblem) of the daimyo or other high ranking officers, which traditionally serve as their field headquarters.
Yari / Yumi / Teppō / Kakomi bugyō: in charge of any administrative matters regarding spears, bows, guns, and siege weapons, respectively.
Yoroi bugyō (armor commissioner): sees to the supply and distribution of armor.
Shodōgu bugyō (equipment commissioner): oversees anything regarding any other type of equipment.
Hata bugyō (flag commissioner): oversees the complex system of flags used for signaling on the battlefield.
Hyōrō bugyō (provisions commissioner): responsible for the logistics of keeping the army (and their mounts) fed, including storage and transport of food. Working under him is the konida bugyō (packhorse commissioner), who supervises the baggage train.
Gozen bugyō (kitchen commissioner): Also called the daidokoro bugyō, he oversees field kitchens and the distribution of rations.
Fune bugyō (boat commissioner): Responsible for everything related to transport on water.
The daimyo himself is often at the apex of the command structure. The various taishō (generals), bugyō (commissioners), and metsuke (inspectors) fall under his direct command, forming the core of his hatamoto ("those who stand under the flag"). In addition to these senior commanding officers and administrators, hundreds more 'stood under the flag' to protect the daimyo or serve other functions. These units were called ban ("guards"), such as the tsukai-ban (battlefield couriers/liaisons). Here was also found the daimyo's personal bodyguards, the elite samurai horse guards (see below). Also included were the personal attendants of the daimyo and those of other high ranking officers, such as koshō [squires/pages] and weapon/armor bearers, as well as doctors and clergy. The position of helmet bearer in particular was considered an honorable position, as a traditionally a daimyo or taishō would only don their helmet just before the start of a battle. Another notable unit within the hatamoto was the iro-ban (color guard), who bore the o uma-jirushi (great horse insignia), a device similar to the 'regimental colors', often a flag but sometimes a large object. This unit was under the command of the hata bugyō (see below). Filling out the ranks of the hatamoto were entertainers, ninja, and huntsmen, secretaries, or others (all depending on the preferences of an individual daimyo).
Beyond the hatamoto, there are two basic types of individual troops: samurai and ashigaru.
Samurai, as most people are likely familiar with, are members of the military nobility. Most, if not all, of the commanding officers will be of the samurai class. Any man of samurai rank would be accompanied by kinjū/tomo (personal retainers and attendants) on the battlefield. They are not sorted into units, but remain alongside their master (and can sometimes be low-ranking or young samurai themselves). Some have more than others, but even the lowest ranking samurai would generally have at least a single ashigaru spear bearer.
Although they are perhaps most famous in modern times for their swordsmanship, the samurai wielded a wide variety of weapons (the primary three being bows, spears, and swords during the Warring States period):
Bows: An asymmetric composite longbow, the yumi is made from bamboo, rattan, or leather. Despite its large size, with proper training a samurai can make effective use of it even while mounted. On foot, it is usually used behind a tate, a large, mobile shield made of wood.
While individuals can have preference for one type of weapon over another, the bow was both a symbol of authority and of a professional warrior during this period (the life of a warrior is sometimes encapsulated in the phrase "kyūba no michi", which roughly means "the way of the horse and bow"). Therefore most samurai will have at least basic proficiency with the yumi.
Polearms: Coming in many varieties, such as yari, naginata, or nagamaki, this class of weapons is prominent on the battlefield, where their longer reach and piercing capabilities provide certain advantages over a sword.
Swords/Daggers: Although the katana is often seen as the quintessential samurai weapon in modern times, it was not the only type of sword available to them. The older tachi and uchigatana, descendants of the katana, were still in use during the forum's setting.
These daito (long-swords) were often paired with a shorter blade, such as a wakizashi or tantō, to form a daishō.
Other bladed weapons include the yoroi tōshi, kodachi, kaiken, and nodachi. Straight-edged Chinese swords were also not unknown to the Japanese, and were referred to as tsurugi (this can also refer to older Japanese swords as well, such as the chokutō.)
More information about swords can be found here.
Firearms: The tanegashima, a matchlock rifle (or more rarely pistol), recently developed from the standpoint of the forum's setting. They are not in widespread use. Yet. Also included in this category would be the bo-hiya.
(It should be noted that, contrary to popular opinion, the samurai did not shun firearms on the basis of them being in some way "dishonorable".)
Staff weapons/clubs: There are several varieties, including the bō, jō, and kanabō.
Chain weapons: Including the kusarigama, kusari-fundo, and chigiriki. Although commonly associated with ninja, some samurai also used these weapons.
Siege weapons: They are not used with great frequency (it was common for defenders to lead sorties; when sieges were not resolved in this way, the most common tactic on the part of the besiegers was to simply surround the fortress, cutting off the defender's flow of supplies), but when they are, they tend to be trebuchets or catapults in the Chinese style.
Misc. Weapons: Tessen
Armor: See here or here.
Ashigaru are foot-soldiers, and would generally make up the bulk of any daimyo's infantry. Some of them are conscripts, but many others are professional soldiers or simple mercenaries. They are commoners, but if they served valiantly enough it was possible for them to be elevated to the rank of samurai (it was only in the later, more peaceful Edo Period that certain laws prevented commoners from becoming samurai).
Most ashigaru have basic proficiency with various weapons, including swords spears, and bows. However, they are often assigned to specialized units (see below), and so receive more extensive weapons training based on their unit's specialty. They were often equipped with tatami style armor.
The officer's chain-of-command for the fighting units are as follows:
Sōtaishō: Commander-in-chief. This position is often filled by the daimyo himself. It may also be be filled by the sōbugyō (see below) if the daimyo is otherwise indisposed.
The daimyo is guarded by kachi-ban (foot guards) and mounted o uma mawari (elite horse guards), the latter of which also sometimes leads charges.
Taishō: 'Generals', for lack of a better term, often named either 'samurai-taishō' or 'ashigaru-taishō' according to their particular command (it is worth noting that the taishō charged with ashigaru units are held in the same regard as those in charge of samurai units). Their troops are divided into units called kumi (-gumi when used as a suffix), which can have anywhere from 10 to 100+ men. Each taishō is responsible for a number of kumi.
Kumigashira: Officers in charge of individual kumi. Again, they are named either 'samurai-kumigashira' or 'ashigaru-kumigashira', depending on the composition of their respective kumi.
The ashigaru-kumigashira are generally in charge of specialist units: 'yarigumi' (spearmen), 'yumigumi' (archers), 'teppōgumi' (gunners), and rarely 'kakomigumi' (siege weapons). Thus, they are sometimes called 'yari-kumigashira', 'yumi-kumigashira', 'teppō-kumigashira' or 'kakomi-kumigashira'.
The samurai-kumigashira lead either 'kiba mushagumi' (mount samurai) or 'kachigumi' (foot samurai) units, both of which tend to be smaller than the ashigaru units.
Kogashira: Lower ranking officers that serve under and assist the ashigaru-kumigashira. Depending on its size, a kumi may have several kogashira. Each has direct command over a smaller squad of individual ashigaru within the unit. The yarigumi generally outnumber the other types of kumi, and so 'yari-kogashira' usually lead larger squads.
While the taishō lead the fighting units, the bugyō are in charge of logistical functions. The highest ranking among them is the ikusa bugyō (army commissioner), also called the sōbugyō, the 'field marshal' to whom the daimyo might delegate strategic and tactical decision making. Also, if the daimyo is indisposed, the ikusa bugyō can take his place on the battlefield, as noted above. The hatamoto ikusa bugyō (hatamoto army commissioner) has overall responsibility for the logistics of the hatamoto.
Other bugyō positions include:
Maku bugyō: has the responsibility for the transport, siting, and erection of the maku. These were large cloth curtains bearing the mon (emblem) of the daimyo or other high ranking officers, which traditionally serve as their field headquarters.
Yari / Yumi / Teppō / Kakomi bugyō: in charge of any administrative matters regarding spears, bows, guns, and siege weapons, respectively.
Yoroi bugyō (armor commissioner): sees to the supply and distribution of armor.
Shodōgu bugyō (equipment commissioner): oversees anything regarding any other type of equipment.
Hata bugyō (flag commissioner): oversees the complex system of flags used for signaling on the battlefield.
Hyōrō bugyō (provisions commissioner): responsible for the logistics of keeping the army (and their mounts) fed, including storage and transport of food. Working under him is the konida bugyō (packhorse commissioner), who supervises the baggage train.
Gozen bugyō (kitchen commissioner): Also called the daidokoro bugyō, he oversees field kitchens and the distribution of rations.
Fune bugyō (boat commissioner): Responsible for everything related to transport on water.