Loan Sword Ashigaru

[Stellerex]

To address a few questions I'm sure popped up when people saw these units: no, swords were not exclusive to samurai use during this time and, yes, ashigaru had them too. Obviously these were not of the same quality as that used by the samurai, but cheaper, lower quality loan swords (Turnbull). So while loan sword ashigaru were unlikely to be at the front line of any daimyo's army, they're not the figment of CA's imagination.

I have a question though: where DID they get these loan swords? If this and other stuff was loan equipment, who's doing the lending?

[Juggernaut]

I have a question though: where DID they get these loan swords? If this and other stuff was loan equipment, who's doing the lending?

In a nutshell, the Samurai master who hires them. And more organized Daimyous like Houjou and Takeda made detailed regulations on how they should be equipped, although how closely that was followed is a matter of debate.

[american samurai]

I have read that the different lords had armories were "loan" armor and weapons were kept. I have seen ashigaru armor with writing on the inside which was supposed to translate into size.

http://www.digital-images.net/Galler...s/castles.html