what do the generals guard carry on their back?

[Palandiell]

it looks like they are carrying the laundry into battle. what is this huge round thing on their back`?

[Neoton]

Not anagin.
It is called Horo and it catches arrows.

[Olligarchy]

That is the official story. The true story is that they were call born in Notredame.

[Abriael]

It's an unrealistically modeled, badly designed excuse for an actually pretty good looking device named Horo.

[Shabby_Ronin]

It's an unrealistically modeled, badly designed excuse for an actually pretty good looking device named Horo.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

They look good in the game, but as usual, I'm sure YOU would have done an infinitely better job.

[Anelysium]

They look good in the game, but as usual, I'm sure YOU would have done an infinitely better job.

Honestly they look just fine in the game, and I've actually been dragged out of lurking just to openly wonder if there is one single thing Abriael can't gripe or whine about.

[Shabby_Ronin]

Honestly they look just fine in the game, and I've actually been dragged out of lurking just to openly wonder if there is one single thing Abriael can't gripe or whine about.

There isn't.

[Erwin Rommel]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

They look good in the game, but as usual, I'm sure YOU would have done an infinitely better job.

No no. He might argue again, that they should be those flapping silk thingies.... instead of this things propped up in a frame while not in full gallop.










GASP! There is a frame after all?

A wicker contraption covered by a thin silk skin worn by warriors and military messengers. Although it gives the impression of movement in ukiyo prints because it looks like a billowing cape it actually is made to function as protection from arrows shot toward a soldier's back.

The graphic on the bottom shows the basic shell design of the horo sans threaded netting and silk covering. This image was created for us by David Wilcox (デイビッド.ウイルコックス). Thanks David.

[IMG][/IMG]

Until I bought a copy of Samurai Heraldry by Stephen Turnbull (Osprey Publishing, 2002, p. 30) I thought the horo simply operated as a protective shield. However, Turnbull states that "Apart from a daimyo's collection of standards, the most gallant sight on a battlefield was the colourful appearance on the elite warriors who wore horo. This was another item of equipment which had a heraldic function and consisted of a curious form of cloak stretched over a basketwork frame." Warriors were told that if they behead an opponent wearing a horo the head should be wrapped in the cloth of that contraption implying that this suited his rank. Turnbull added "Oda Nobunaga had two elite units distinguished by red and black horo, while Toyotomi Hideyoshi's bodyguard wore gold-colored horo."

There is a more complete description - if not entirely accurate - in a Dover reprint in 1999 of A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times: In All Countries and in All Times by George Cameron Stone. The horo "...is generally about six feet long and made of five strips of cloth sewed together and strengthened by plaits. The crest of the owner was placed at the top, middle and bottom, and both the upper and lower edges were fringed. The top was either fastened to the helmet or to the ring on the back plate; the lower end was held by cords tied around the waist. In some cases it was fastened to the helmet and to the forehead of the horse, being kept in position by cords to the stirrups." (p. 299) ¶ "Garbutt, p. 171, says there are many kinds of horo and that differed considerably in size. He finds no mention of cotton stuffing, but describes several varieties of framework called oikago [おいかご?], for supporting it. He also says that it was invented by Hatekeyama Masanaga in the Onin period (1467-68). 'Whether this refers to the horo or oikago is not clear.' " (Ibid.) ¶ Military men who possess a horo should carry it with them at all times because "...when you are killed on the battlefield the enemy will understand, as they recognize the horo, that the dead was not a common person, and so your corpse will be well treated. When fighting the horo must be fastened to the ring called horotsuke-no-kuan." (p. 300)

In Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan by Oscar Ratti and Adele Westbrook (published by Tuttle, 1991, p. 221) they say "The horo could be kept distended by light frames (oikago) made of whalebone ribs arranged in various fashions around a central staff that was fastened to the backplate of the bushi's corselet.... One type of horo illustrated in ancient scrolls was even draped in front like a tent, covering the head of the horse and the body of its rider, most probably during the gallop toward the enemy lines which often necessitated passing through a shower of arrows." It is also believed that the horo was used "...to drive away evil forces..."

Turnbull says the frame was made from bamboo (Nagashino 1575: Slaughter at the Barricades, Osprey Publishing, 2000, p. 21) while as we noted above Oscar Ratti and Adele Westbrook say it was constructed with whalebone. My suspicion is that both materials were probably used at one time or another.

There is a statue at the Oyama Shrine in Kanazawa of Maeda Toshiie (1539-1599: 前田利家 or まえだとしえ), one of Oda Nobunaga's greatest generals, showing him astride his horse with a large horo at his back.

[Abriael]

They look good in the game, but as usual, I'm sure YOU would have done an infinitely better job.

Miniatures, statues, all completely rigid and static depictions. Too bad that a videogame isn't exactly rigid and static, right?

Long live the creative assembly defense force!

[saltjunkie77]

Well Abriael, that's what modding is for--get on it. Let's see the horo's material move some on it's frame, varying with the different speeds of the horesmen.

[Shabby_Ronin]

Miniatures, statues, all completely rigid and static depictions. Too bad that a videogame isn't exactly rigid and static, right?

Long live the creative assembly defense force!

I'm sure you have seen many live examples of Samurai riding at a gallop with a horo on. Maybe you participate in historic reenactments? More than likely you're just doing what you do, CA bashing and arguing for argument's sake. It's pretty funny when someone hasn't been here 2 months and everybody knows what's coming out of your mouth before you open it.

[Abriael]

I'm sure you have seen many live examples of Samurai riding at a gallop with a horo on. Maybe you participate in historic reenactments? More than likely you're just doing what you do, CA bashing and arguing for argument's sake. It's pretty funny when someone hasn't been here 2 months and everybody knows what's coming out of your mouth before you open it.

And who exactly appointed you to talk for "everyone"?



1:50. Thank you.

[Desertcavalier]

Its for defence against arrows being fired at them from behind, especially good at stopping friendly fire.

[OTZ]

Egg sacs. Like spiders, only they're people.

[GenWolfe]

Here is a cool little link on the Horo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horo_(cloak)

[saltjunkie77]

The horo is an interesting idea. Cavalry units make repeated charges, leaving their backs exposed when pulling back for another charge; i'm sure the horo negated arrow fire, well. I guess this was the first good use of a bean-bag chair, lol.

[GenWolfe]

They were also a sign of authority... so they make perfect sense to be on your general and his bodyguard

[The Juggernaut]

A samurai is not allowed to die dishonorably in battle, and so must commit seppuku when he is beaten. Unfortunately, a second is needed to finish the job, otherwise an enemy will simply waltz right up, interrupt the ceremony, and take his head. "What's a noble but beaten samuari to do?!" you may ask. GOOD QUESTION!

We here at CA studios have invented "Kaishakunin in a Bag". Tired of searching a battlefield for a second to cut off your head? Now you don't have to! Just strap our colorful container to your armor, and bam! you'll be committing seppuku in style! "Kaishakunin in a Bag" is fully customizable in your clan colors, so you can look stylish at any occasion!

Wait, there's more! Order now and receive a non-stick Tanto blade, absolutely free! Won't stick to your intestines or other innards, guaranteed, or you'll get a full refund.

Some shipping and handling may apply.





Seriously though, it's a Horo, it catches arrows. Can someone make this a sticky thread?

[saltjunkie77]

You forgot, it's only 19.95 including shipping. Buy now, and get a second horo, free! That's right, order now, and you'll get not one, but two custom, deluxe, grand, amazing horos.

[Gulatr]

The Horo seems to respond and move and shake around when the general is moving, it also looks quite good.