Samurai Warfare

[Swagger]

so, how did the battles in feudal japan worked?


in europe, the archers fired their volleys first, followed by a charge of infantry while the cavalry from both sides fighted each other

i assume in japan they were rather different, so how were they like?

[Sensei Kiisu]

so, how did the battles in feudal japan worked?


in europe, the archers fired their volleys first, followed by a charge of infantry while the cavalry from both sides fighted each other

i assume in japan they were rather different, so how were they like?

I found this information which may offer some insight,

View

Battle Formations Battle formations were predetermined, though once a battle began there was no requirement or expectation that the formation would be maintained. Some formations were specific to interaction among types of warriors. For example, Japanese cavalry units included both soldiers on foot and mounted samurai. In this configuration, the figures on foot served as attendants to the mounted warriors. This had a strong effect on the maneuverability of the cavalry unit, as well as the necessary charge distance the unit required. There were numerous battle formations utilized for different strategic moments in a battle. Among the battle situations for which a specific configuration of troops might be used were formations for the initial battle charge and for subsequent charges, formations used for surrounding enemy forces, or when the two armies were of equal strength or when one army was outnumbered, various defensive formations used to maneuver against the enemy, formations used under specific terrain conditions, formations that placed a particular part of one’s army—for instance, cavalry or foot soldiers—at the front of the battle, formations for withdrawal, and formations used for a final stand against an oncoming army. Shield Deployment/Formations In encounters staged on open ground or slightly mountainous terrain, warriors used temporary fortifications like those discussed above. However, such building projects required significant resources, and rapid solutions were more likely to bring favorable results. In preparing for some battles, samurai armies arranged connected shields in a formation called kaidate designed for mobility. Linked wooden shields were an effective impediment to the progress of an oncoming opponent, much like temporary fortifications such as the stacked brush barriers called sakamogi, especially when conflicts took place on fields or open plateaus. Large-scale shields were more easily deployed than brush barriers, which required significant human labor and large-scale construction, and shields could be removed to another location after use. Nonetheless, both shield walls and sakamogi were vulnerable if confronted with fire, a weapon favored by early medieval warriors. Archery/Cavalry Strategy Since oyoroi armor was heavy enough to slow progress and freedom of movement, and the bows used in the early medieval period were weak, Japanese archers were forced to shoot at close range. With 10 meters or less between the archer and the target, bowmen had to carefully identify and target weaknesses in the opponent’s armor. Further, early medieval samurai horses had little endurance, especially at high speeds and while bearing heavy loads, so armies utilized light cavalry formations in which mounted archers were surrounded by small groups of infantry circling and regrouping in a manner that historian Karl F. Friday has compared to aviators in a dogfight. Signals and Identification As armies increased in size, especially during the Warring States period, opponents often had trouble identifying each other and commanders could not recognize important samurai amid the crush of bodies. Signals became an effective means of controlling troops from a distance during battles, since only coordinated efforts could be successful. Strategies included the use of items such as flags, drums, and conch shells, as well as deployment of fire signals and messengers. For instance, many samurai and ashigaru affixed a sashimono, or personal banner, on the back of their armor. The family crest (mon) of the army commander was usually painted on the field of the sashimono, which later developed into the more visible vertical banner called a nobori carried by standard bearers into battle. Similarly, recognizing the potential of messengers, daimyo invested in preparing elite corps of messengers. A commander relied upon his messaging system to convey orders to other generals and ensure timely compliance with directives. These messengers were specially identified by cloaks or distinctive sashimono. For example, Toyotomi Hideyoshi had 29 messengers, all of whom were fitted with a golden sashimono. Nobunaga provided his messengers with a horo, a fabric bag similar to a cloak attached to the back of the armor, in either red or black. During the Warring States period, as the military became more professionalized and battles were plentiful, specialized signaling and other means of identifying entire companies as well as specific figures were instituted. To ensure quick identification of opposing forces at a distance or ready identification of a military leader in poor weather, high-ranking figures had elaborate helmets and other distinguishing characteristics that made them readily recognizable. At the dawning of this era of many feuding daimyo, the tradition of affixing a sashimono was abandoned, perhaps because such devices could hinder the progress of an elite warrior. Regardless, high-ranking samurai had attendants (standard-bearers) who were charged with carrying the large vertical flag known as a nobori identifying the entire company or unit. Personalized armor or helmet elements functioned like a crest which might be etched into or painted on European armor to indicate one’s allegiance to a particular ruler. However, overall, Japanese use of banners and flags contrasted with European styles. Apparently, free-flying banners, as commonly seen in recreations of European battles, were not favored in Japan. The most typical banner style of the 15th century and after, the nobori, was a long, vertical piece of fabric that hung from the arm of a pole, which could be easily seen from both sides. Essentially these were larger versions of sashimono made more visible as well as less personal, a change that underscores the increasing grandeur of well orchestrated combat at the end of the Warring States period. Other types of flags and banners served diverse purposes. Signal flags (as well as fires) could be employed in directing unit movements. Another banner used for identification was the uma-jirushi, or horse insignia, which was worn by the standard-bearer of a daimyo and used to determine whether a leading figure had lost his mount. In peacetime, banners and flags served to distinguish rank and status of samurai in service to the Tokugawa shogunate. Under the reorganization of the feudal system, samurai rank was equated with banner size. For example, samurai with an income of 1,300 koku were entitled to bear a small flag, while those possessing more than 6,000 koku of annual income could display a large flag. Thus, an entourage approaching the Tokugawa castle in Edo could be identified from a distance. Such banners required three soldiers to serve as bearers, more than the single figure that had accompanied the sashimono of high-ranking retainers in the medieval period. However, due to the dearth of battles, such flags were displayed primarily during processions of daimyo to and from the capital, and represented no hindrance to the typically slow and ceremonious progress of such entourages. Battle Rituals The culture of battle in the medieval and early modern periods was highly ritualized. There were, for instance, specific ceremonies enacted before going into battle and specific rituals conducted to celebrate victory. Before going into battle, it was not uncommon for prayers to be offered to the Shinto gods— such as to the war deity Hachiman—asking for divine help in securing victory. Also common was a ceremonial meal prepared prior to battle in which sake was drunk and foods with names suggesting victory were consumed, such as kachi guri, or dried chestnuts. The term kachi can also mean victory; hence, the association of “victory chestnuts” with this food. Finally, the commander would start his troops marching to battle by uttering a ritual phrase (“for glory”) while a Shinto priest said additional prayers for victory. Victory celebrations included rituals such as bathing in a hot spring both as a means of treating wounds and for purification, the presentation of letters of commendation for bravery or other heroics, and a “head inspection” in which the severed heads of the enemy taken during the battle were presented for review and particular honors were given to the warrior who had taken the first head.

[Viking Prince]

Great stuff. The only obvious thing to add is regarding the Samurai. Typical Samurai (not the farmer Samurai) was to own several horses and be expert in bow on horses and sword on foot. However with the introduction of gunpowder weapons, the Samurai would dismount before entering battle. Cavalry was mostly used for pursuit or against peasant units. At least this is the general nature of what I read in Turnbull's Samurai:The Story of Japan's Great Warriors (PRC 2004). It is more a picture book than an academic discussion though.

[Katsumoto]

Basically, The Sengoku battle was fought between alliances of clan armies, deployed according to an agreed battle plan, and co-ordinated through the mobile tsukai-ban (elite messengers). Each clan army was further subdivided into weapons groups, and co-ordinated through its own band of tsukai. Within each army fought high-ranking mounted samurai spearmen, who also supplied a handful of personal retainers according to their means. Other samurai retainers fought on foot with spears, supported by ashigaru. Specialised corps of highly trained ashigaru were trained with bows, spears (more like pikes) or arquebuses, and were all under the command of officers. A sizeable support unit was included in each army, of which the flag bearers were the most important, and had their own guard. Within each clan army would be a large headquarters unit which formed the lord's bodyguard. This was bascially an army within an army, reflecting the same overall proportion of rank and weaponry.

Source: Samurai Warfare by Dr Stephen Turnbull.

[Juggernaut]

In the early part of Sengoku period, the majority of the Daimyo's field army were formed by the armies of his vassals called Kokujin. These "provincial barons" had a obligation to answer the Daimyo's mustering, but they generally held a autonomy within their fiefs and their loyalty were often shifty.

The Daimyo had no control in how the vassals formed and organized their army. The only unit he had a direct control were the troops of Daimyo's household, and that only formed the fraction of the field army. Essentially, the Daimyo's army were formed by the small armies of the vassals of which he had little control over.

The constant warfare of the period brought a change to this. In order to increase their power and to ensure a higher probability of survival, many Daimyos attempted to centralize their regime through various measures. Incorporating the Kokujin vassals directly into his own household was one of such measures. Naturally this process often met resistance, and the incorporation were often done forcefully and brutally, and sometimes it resulted in rebellion or a coup.

When Daimyos succeeded in bringing the vassals down into his direct rule, they usually tried to reorganize the army in a more efficient way. Command structures were made clearer, and the army organization was standardized. Mustering now involved very minute details down to the size of their banners and the length of spears. The overall system of vassals' armies forming the field army remained the same, but they were much more systemized and regimented now.

Historians calls this the Sonae system, which literally means "Formation". It should be noted that terms like Sonae and Tai only became universal in Edo period. In Sengoku jidai, depending on the clans and regions many different names would have been used, like Te(hand), Sei(force) or Shuu(group). But for clarification's sake, these terms will be used here.

Sonae was a combined arms unit with around 300 too 800 men, so sizewise it would be the equivalent of a European regiment. However, Sonae consisted every troop type there were at the time; archers, pikemen, arquebusiers, heavy infantry and cavalry. It was accompanied by a baggage train, and it was able to operate on it's own detached from the main army. Majority of the troops were the non-Samurai Ashigarus, and Samurais formed the captain's guards, officers, cavalry and heavy infantry.

Sonae was led by a Samurai Taishou(Taishou meaning general), and usually a Karo, a high ranking retainer of the clan who were often a Kokujin baron as well, was appointed for it. Each Sonae was in turn formed by units called Tai, literally "Unit", consisting around 50 to 100 men, commanded by a captain known as Bugyo or Ashigaru Taisho. Tais were formed by weapon types, like pikes and arquebus.

Each Tai was formed by several smaller units called Kumis, literally "groups", with about 15 to 30 men each. Each Kumis were commanded by officers called Ko-Gashira or Kumi-Gashira.

The command structure of a typical army of mid to late Sengoku jidai would be like this:
So-Daisho (the general of the army, often the Daimyo himself)
Samurai Taisho (regiment commander)
Bugyo or Ashigaru Taisho (company commander)
Kumi-Gashira (platoon commander)
Samurais and Ashigarus (soldiers; but obviously Samurais held a higher rank than Ashigarus)

Their were also men called Gunkan or Metsuke attached to the Sonae; they were the direct retainers of the Daimyo, and their task was to monitor the conduct of the units during battle. After the battle finished, they would report to the Daimyo of the performance of the Sonae, both positives and negatives. Their presence were a nuisance to the Samurai Taishos, but they were essential for the command structure.

Japanese army of mid to late Sengoku jidai were formed by these units, and clans with major power could field at least 30 of these Sonaes if they desired. Battle formation like the famous Fish Scale and Crane's Wing were formed by placing the Sonaes into position.

In battle Sonaes fought against other Sonaes; for example the cavalries of the Sonaes A, B and C never formed a one large cavalry group placed on the flank of the whole army since that would completely confuse the command structure, and the terrain of Japan would not allow a large cavalry unit to maneuver efficiently. Instead they were placed on the rear of the Sonaes they belonged too, and would engage only to support their own Sonaes.

Usually the first line of the Sonae would be the Ashigaru archers and arquebusiers, the second Ashigaru pikemen/spearmen and the third would be mounted Samurais or sometimes another line of heavy infantry(dismounted or low ranking Samurais), and the mounted Samurais would be in the fourth line in that case. Since each Kumi only had a few dozen man at most, their depth was rather thin, with mostly only one to three lines deep.

In mid period, the battle would start with Ashigarus firing against each other, hiding behind a pavise. Then the Ashigaru pikemen would advance to create the battle line, and when the moment was right the Samurais would charge in to break the enemy line, followed by their foot retinues. The Samurais of the opposing Sonae would attempt to stop this, and it was at this when the battle was most fierce.

In late period, when the number of guns superseded that of the pikes, the pikemen's value diminished. The slow moving pikemen were a easy target for arquebusiers, and in many they were decimated before they could make any contact with the enemy. As a result, arquebusiers now formed the battle line. Pikemen's number have decreased and they retired into a more defensive role, providing cover for the arquebusiers against cavalry attacks.

If one Sonae collapsed, a reserve Sonae would be advanced to fill in the gap; if there was no reserve, the hole in the army formation could be exploited, and the whole army would risk routing.

In many cases, the Samurais who formed the Sonae were not the retainer of the Samurai Taisho; but a Yoriki, literally "given power" who were assigned by the Daimyo. A Yoriki could be the Daimyo's retainer or a member of the Kokujin clan. Either way they were assigned to the Sonae based purely on military need. This method prevented one general from gaining great military power, and in the long run it also allowed for a more efficient operation not burdened by such feudal ties.

By the end of 16th century, the Sonaes were made into permanent units forming a standing army. However the end of Sengoku period and the subsequent isolation policy of the Tokugawa government brought a grinding halt to Japan's military development. The Sonaes of the clans were still maintained as the standing armies, but their worth as military unit decreased over time. The number of non-combatants, servants attending to the Samurais, increased dramatically. In Sengoku period, the number of these men were generally about 30% of the army. By mid Edo period, this increased to 60-70%. The Ashigarus, who were supposed to form the battle line, became little better than minor civil servants.

When the need of military power arised in the Bakumatshu period, the Sonae was worthless as a military unit. The Samurais and Ashigarus who formed them were ill-trained, badly equipped and low on moral. Instead of modernizing the Sonae system with modern weaponry and tactics, it was far more easier for the new Meiji government to establish a western style military formed by commoners.

Sources:
笹間 良彦 (著) 図説 日本戦陣作法事典 Illustrated dictionary of Japanese battlefield procedures, by Sasama Yoshihiko
歴史群像アーカイブ VOL. 6 戦国合戦入門―軍事学の視点から徹底分析 Basics of Sengoku period battles-Thorough analysis from a military science view point, from Rekishi Gunzou archive vol.6
高橋 典幸 (著), 保谷 徹 (著), 山田 邦明 (著), 一ノ瀬 俊也 (著) 日本軍事史 Japanese military history, by Takahashi Noriyuki, Hotani Tetsuru, Yamada Kuniaki and Ichinose Toshiya
藤木 久志 (著) 雑兵たちの戦場 中世の傭兵と奴隷狩り Battlefields of the common soldiers-Medieval mercenaries and slave hunts, by Fujiki Hisashi
雑兵物語 Zouhyou Monogatari, a mid 17th century Ashigaru manual

[JackDionne]

It's probably best to temporary forget about "Western" style of organization when thinking about Japanese army, since it's organization is quite different.

The basic tactical unit of this era was called a Sonae, literally meaning "Formation".

Sonae was a combined arms unit with around 300 too 800 men, so sizewise it would be the equivalent of a European regiment. However, Sonae consisted every troop type there were at the time; Archers, Pikemen, Arquebusiers, Heavy Infantry and Cavalry. It was accompanied by a baggage train, and it was able to operate on it's own detached from the main army. Majority of the troops were Ashigarus, and Samurais formed the captain's guards, officers, cavalry and assault infantry.

Sonae was led by a Samurai Taisho(Taisho means General), and usually a Karo(high ranking retainer of the clan) was appointed for it. Each Sonae was in turn formed by units called Tai, literally "Unit", consisting around 50 to 100 men, commanded by a captain known as Bugyo or Ashigaru Taisho. Tais were formed by weapon types, like pikes and arquebus.

Each Tai was formed by several smaller units called Kumis, literally "groups", with about 15 to 30 men each. Each Kumis were commanded by officers called Ko-Gashira or Kumi-Gashira.

So in a nutshell, the command structure of a typical army of mid to late Sengoku jidai would be something like this:
So-Daisho (the general of the army, often the Daimyo himself)
Samurai Taisho (regiment commander)
Bugyo or Ashigaru Taisho (company commander)
Kumi-Gashira (platoon commander)
Samurais and Ashigarus (soldiers; but obviously Samurais held a higher rank than Ashigarus)

Their were also men called Gunkan or Metsuke attached to the Sonae; they were the direct retainers of the Daimyo, and their task was to monitor the conduct of the units during battle. After the battle finished, they would report to the Daimyo of the performance of the Sonae, both positives and negatives.

Japanese army of this era were formed by these units. Clans with major power could field at least 30 of these Sonaes if they desired, and battle formation like the famous Fish Scale and Crane's Wing were formed by placing the Sonaes into position.

In battle Sonaes fought against other Sonaes; for example the cavalry units of the Sonaes A, B and C never formed a one large cavalry group placed on the flank of the whole army. Instead they were placed on the rear of the Sonaes they belonged too, and would engage only to support their own Sonaes.

Usually the first line of the Sonae would be archers and arquebusiers, the second Pikemen/Spearmen and the third would be mounted Samurais or sometimes another line of heavy infantry(dismounted or low ranking Samurais), and the mounted Samurais would be in the fourth line in that case. Since each Kumi only had a few man, their depth was rather thin, with mostly only 1 to 3 lines deep.

Usually, the battle would start with arquebus and bow Ashigarus firing against each other, hiding behind a pavise. Then the Ashigaru pikemen would advance to create the battle line, and when the moment was right the Samurais would charge in, followed by their retinues. If one Sonae collapsed, a reserve Sonae would be advanced to fill in the gap; if there was no reserve, the hole in the army line could be exploited, and the whole army would risk routing.

In many cases, the men who formed the Sonae was not the retainer of the Samurai Taisho; but a Yoriki, literally "given power" who were assigned by the Daimyo. Assigning the Samurais of retainer A to retainer B prevented one retainer from gaining great military power, and it also allowed for a more efficient operation in the long run

The system started to appear in very early Sengoku jidai, and although initially it was very much a ad-hoc measure, it got more sophisticated and organized with time. By end of 16th century the Sonae was made into a permanent system, forming a standing army.

What did the pikemen look like, where they a form of samurai too?

[Katsumoto]

They were ashigaru, foot soldiers. Here's a good picture of them:

[JackDionne]

Thanks for posting the picture.

[Juggernaut]

Like Katsumoto says, the pikemen were Ashigaru who were non samurai commoners.

Ashigarus, literally meaning "light foot", appeared in late Muromachi jidai as a irregular force performing raids and surprise attacks during the Onin War. However initially they were little better than hired thugs, bandits and peasants. But the constant warfare of Sengoku jidai demanded more complex tactics and organization, and Ashigarus slowly became more professional.

In early Sengoku jidai most Ashigarus were peasant volunteers((usually non-heir sons of low to middle class peasants) who had to provide most of their own equipment and received minimal training. Their employment were temporary, and they were usually disbanded after a campaign. But as time went by they started be organized into a more regular force receiving semi-regular training and living in barracks, and their equipments were started to be provided by their employers. By the end of 16th century Ashigarus were essentially professional soldiers, with soldierly being their permanent job.

There were several reasons why someone would want to be a Ashigaru. One was food. Famine was common in Sengoku jidai, and the excess population of a village would usually find themselves becoming a Ashigaru. The rations provided to Ashigarus were minimal, barely enough to keep a man alive. Their little amount of payment mostly disappeared to purchase various commodities, including more food. But at least, he didn't have to worry about starving to death.

Another reason was the opportunity to win great fame and even the possibly of becoming a Samurai. It was not impossible for a Ashigaru who performed well in battles to be elevated into the Samurai caste. Many Ashigaru Taishos were former Ashigarus promoted for their good conducts, and Ashigaru Taishos were considered to be part of the Samurai caste. Some Ashigarus even went further, and a few even ended up as a Daimyo.

[Kissaki]

Here's a scroll depicting a training battle (IIRC, a bout to see which was better, longer or shorter naga-yari), but illustrates well how pike formations were used:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[/URL]

You will also note samurai among both teams, though in the right hand team they are mainly at the back, in support (spot the samurai in front with the ashigaru, however). It is not implausible that like in Europe, experienced soldiers (samurai in this case) were used at the rear to ensure that the less experienced warriors at the front kept in line. Pike formations consisting mainly of samurai would also be possible in sengoku, but for the most part it was masses of ashigaru.

[JackDionne]

Here's a scroll depicting a training battle (IIRC, a bout to see which was better, longer or shorter naga-yari), but illustrates well how pike formations were used:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[/URL]

You will also note samurai among both teams, though in the right hand team they are mainly at the back, in support (spot the samurai in front with the ashigaru, however). It is not implausible that like in Europe, experienced soldiers (samurai in this case) were used at the rear to ensure that the less experienced warriors at the front kept in line. Pike formations consisting mainly of samurai would also be possible in sengoku, but for the most part it was masses of ashigaru.

When was this picture originally done?
I for one am looking forward to the custom battles.

[Kissaki]

When was this picture originally done?

Don't really remember. I seem to recall it had a connection with Oda Nobunaga, or that it was at least contemporary with him, but I may be jumbling memories.

[Juggernaut]

I think we have to be a bit careful about this painting. The style seems Edo period, and the description says that the painting depicts a mock battle between the troops of Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune and Noriyori during the Genpei war. That would be more than 300 years before pikes appeared in Japan. The painting could very well depict a Edo period pike formation, but it could also be the product of the painter's imagination.

Edit:I googled the description of the painting, and found out that the painter was Utagawa Yoshitsuya, a man who lived in early 19th century.　So it isn't contemporary.

[Kissaki]

I think we have to be a bit careful about this painting. The style seems Edo period, and the description says that the painting depicts a mock battle between the troops of Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune and Noriyori during the Genpei war. That would be more than 300 years before pikes appeared in Japan. The painting could very well depict a Edo period pike formation, but it could also be the product of the painter's imagination.

Edit:I googled the description of the painting, and found out that the painter was Utagawa Yoshitsuya, a man who lived in early 19th century.　So it isn't contemporary.

Ah, thank you very much for the clarifications. I discounted it being Edo because I thought training in pike formations is something that went out of vogue quickly in that period, and it does look like the artist knows pike formations, and not just a passing insight into sojutsu. Not sure why I associated it with Nobunaga, though. I was also wondering about the identity of the artist (I have tried googling the description of the painting as well, without luck - and I do not read Japanese), so thank you for that as well.