| Main Menu | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Articles Arms and Amour Japanese Arrows | Japanese Arrows | | Print | |
|
Japanese fletchers produced many types of arrows with shafts of varying lengths and colours and a numerous selection of arrowheads. Arrows were comprised of differing lengths of reed and a wide array of arrowheads were available and were used according to circumstance. For example, blunt arrows with pear-shaped wooden heads or ki-hoko were used for target practice and also for the dog hunts and dog shoots. Then there were arrowheads used for signalling. These were apparently derived from Chinese models and were shaped like a turnip with perforations to allow the air to rush through it when in flight thus making the whistling sound. They could also be customised and used as rockets or fire arrows. Arrowheads used for hunting and battle were from steel of the highest temper and there were numerous types. There was the sampaku, maku-nuki or curtain-piercer; the tsubeki-ne or chisel shape; the tsurugi-jiri or sword point; the tobu, tobi-naoshi or flying kite; the hoso-yanagiba or narrow willow-leaf; the watakushi or flesh-tearer; the yanagi-ba or willow leaf; the togari-ya or pointed arrow; the sankaku or triangle; the rinzetsu or dragon's tongue; the tadenari or smartweed leaf; and numerous types of karimata or two-pointed arrowheads.There were many types of quivers or yebira to contain the arrows in and even these were used according to the circumstances. Naturally there were the quivers used for war, others for the hunt, and then more ornamental ones which tended to be worn by palace guards and such quivers (called heikoroku) were highly decorated and allowed the arrows to spread out behind the wearer's back to look like peacock spreading its feathers. Open quivers were used and the arrows were stored apart which protected their feathers and made them more readily available to the archer. Fifty arrows could be kept in an open quiver such as this but eventually smaller, lighter versions were made which consequently stored fewer arrows. Closed quivers were also used and they had the advantage of keeping arrows free from inconsistent weather. On the downside, however, because they were closed the arrows weren't easily accessible when it was necessary to shoot them in quick succession. Nevertheless mounted archers found closed quivers very useful because the arrows were so well protected. Larger quivers more associated with ceremonial duties were as ornate and as decorative as they come. The utsubo was quite a large case and was covered in fur. Another equally, if not more, impressive quiver was the standing quiver which was commonly found in temples: it was chair-like, had a high back and short legs and its arrows were secured in thongs. This quiver could carry around forty arrows. Other quivers were smaller and were conical or quadrangular and were often decorated and lacquered. The kari-ebira was nothing more than a light framework of bamboo and its arrows were secured by thongs wrapped around them. This quiver was often used for hunting and even for war. Larger quivers were reserved for the higher ranking samurai and were sometimes carried by his retainers or attendants. Such a duty was quite an honour. Further Reading Samurai 'The World of the Warrior' - Stephen Turnbull Secrets of the Samurai - Oscar Ratti and Adele Westbrook |
| Popular Articles |
|---|