Japanese Archery, rules for shooting and warfare.

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1 Japanese Archery, rules for shooting and warfare. Purpose: This paper is written to look at period or close to period manuals concerning the use of Japanese archery, specifically rules for shooting, rules for the individual archer and a quick look at battle field formations. Heki-Ryu During the 15 th and 15 th centuries Japan was almost constantly in a state of civil war. It is during this time that archery became a significant presence on the battle field and techniques for shooting improved. One of the most influential archers of this time was Heki Danjo Masatsugu, he devised a new and devastating way of shooting. (Hideharu, 1993) It is believed that Heki was about 40 years old when he developed the new technique, so this was roughly 1480, he called this new method Hi, Kan, Chu (Fly, Pierce, Center). Heike-Ryu is distinctive for shooting while walking. Some of the principles are described below: (Sadamoto, 2014) When shooting a 4 finger or 3 finger glove is used. A quiver basket is used and arrows are pulled one at a time. The distance to practice is the length of the strung bow flipped 15 times end over end. When one become experienced the distance can be extended to 30 or 50 ken. (approximately 54 and 90 meters respectively) When stringing the bow, one should not face north, it is bad luck. When stringing the bow, it should not be done with a person in front of the bow. The feet should be placed like the bottom of Hachi Monji. The arrow does not fly straight along the line of sight but should be shot upwards a small distance. The grip on the bow should be as if one is holding a single hen s egg. Of the fingers holding the bow, the most power should be in the little finger. Begin the draw with the right shoulder pulling back and at the same time the push of the bow hand. After having shot, the shoulder of the arm holding the bow should drop. The breath should be held at a spot below the belly button. When the shot is taken a third of the breath should remain. Hundred Rules of War This book was written by Tsukahara Bokuden prior to He was a noted swordsman and fought in 37 battles and had 19 duels. He developed his own sword style and may have been a sword instructor to the Ashikaga Shogun (Shahan, 2017) The following are his rules that cover archery(rules 1-9 of the 100) To one born a Samurai, the name Yumi is best. The name should be revered and held as high as the pine tree in Takasago. The soul of the Samurai and the bow made of Azusa tree, peacefully bathed in the spring sunlight.

2 The name given to the bow and the arrow fired by Samurai are just that. They are the means by which our country is kept sound. The bow should be thought of only as a thing to project your power, not a thing to decorate. You should enter the field of battle with your bow set to a higher draw weight. When selecting arrowhead, long thin ones are best because these will pass out the other side of the target they strike. It does not matter whether you are firing at an enemy near you or an opponent some distance away, you should be adapt at selecting the best arrowhead. An archer who is unaware of the necessity to select different arrowheads for winter and summer will no doubt regret his blunder. Bigger is not always better when it comes to bowstrings. However if it is too thin, then your arrowheads will not stick in anything. Natori-Ryu Natori-Ryu is a samurai school of war founded in the 16 th century, the material that I am using was written around 1654 by Natori Masazumi. Its primary purpose was military strategies developed in the service of the Takeda of Koshu, but expanded to include Samurai life, medicine, arms armor and shinobi. (Cummins, 2015) Specific comments from the Natori-Ryu scrolls follow: Hito-koshi is a bundle of 21 arrows carried by the archer. Wa is a bundle of 51 arrows carried by arrow carriers. Hoto-oke a unit of 12 bow strings carried by the arrow carriers. Hito-hari is a unit of 7 bow strings carried by the group leader. Yugake ichigu is a pair of archery gloves, also called the gloves of hell. Understand the trajectory of arrows in battle o Enemy arrows will be directed at the following places. Where good warriors have taken up position. Where people are gathering in numbers. Where warriors are making a determined advance. Be aware of solders that fire in unified fashion, but do not hold their spears in unison. They are substantial warriors. Zohyo Monogatari It was written between 1657 and 1684 most probably by Nobuoki Matsudaira. Designed for guidance of soldiers it gained popularity for educating commanders of foot soldiers. Below are excerpts forming the archery sections. (Cummins, 2013) Keep the knot of your ration belt in the center of the back of the neck. If a ball of rice is on the chest it will touch the string and you will not shoot effectively. Do not crease your bow string, it will make it break after a few shots. While the enemy is far away do not shoot the arrows in your quiver, but the ones you are given. Never shoot further than the distance you are told. Take good aim; draw back as far as you can as you do at practice.

3 Do not waste arrows. Should not shot with the muskets, shoot in-between the intervals. As for mounted enemy, shoot the horse first. When the enemy is getting close move left or right and keep shooting. When the enemy is close move to your left and shoot the enemies right side, it is difficult to defend. When you are running out of arrows, nock an arrow and do not shoot it at once but make the best of it. Shoot your last shot closer than a spear thrust targeting a gap in the enemy s armor. When out of ammo draw your short sword and try to cut the hand or leg of the enemy, hang on to the enemy closely and stab. Battle formations With the introduction of effective firearms in the mid 1500 s, battlefield formations and warfare changed drastically from the warfare of the previous 100 years. Battlefield formations were using arquebusiers in the front ranks, with archers as skirmishers or interspaced with the gunners for additional firepower during periods of reloading. Battlefield formations had unique names and were designed to counter each other on the battle field. It is often disputed as to how well the formations held together after initial contact, but it is known that some commanders had extensive communications core available.

4 (Turnbull, 1979) In the illustration the army units are prepared to defend or attack to the right.

5 1. Ganko or birds in flight. Flexible formation that can be easily adapted and offers good protection front and rear. Archer placed behind the arquebusiers in the front of the formation and the flanks. 2. Hoshi or arrowhead. A classic attack formation designed for a frontal assault. Archers placed to the real as this formation is designed for the arquebusiers to punch through and allow the mounted samurai to follow up the breakthrough. 3. Saku or keyhole. Designed as a defense for the Arrowhead attack. Archers and arquebusiers placed to the flanks to offer fire as the enemy tries to break through. 4. Kakuyoku or cranes wing. Designed for engulfing maneuvers, with units prepared to flank left or right. Archers placed with the arquebusiers to slow the attack or damage the front lines, mounted samurai ready to flank. 5. Koyaku or yoke. A defensive position, can be used against the Cranes wwng or the Arrowhead. Archer and arquebusiers placed center to break the enemies attack. 6. Gyorin or fish scales. Modified arrowhead for use when outnumbered but on the attack. Archer placed with the arquebusiers in the front to soften the enimies line for the mounted samurai. 7. Engetsu or half moon. For use when on the defensive and outnumbered. Archer and arquebusiers placed in the front to delay or break the enemies assault.

6 References: Anthony Cummins and Yoshie Minami (2015). The book of Samurai, Book One: Fundamental Teachings, London, England, Watkins Media, Ltd. Anthony Cummins and Yoshie Minami (2013). Samurai War Stories, Stroud, England, The History Press Eric Shahan (2017). The Hundred Rules of War by Tsukahara Bokuden, Middleton, DE Hideharu Onuma, Dan and Jakie DeProspero (1992). Kyudo The Essence and Practice of Japanese Archery, Tokyo, Japan, Kodanasha International, Ltd Sadamoto Sugawara, translation by Eric Shahan (2014). The Complete Martial Arts of Japan, Volume 1, Middleton DE, Kobudo Translations Stephen R. Turnbull (1979). Samurai Armies , London England, Osprey Publishing Weapons & Fighting Techniques of the Samurai Warrior, AD, 2008, New York, NY, Amber Books, Ltd

Shichido The Seven Coordinations. User Guide

Shichido The Seven Coordinations User Guide as taught in Jinko Kyudojo of the Zenko International Heki Ryu Bishu Chikurin-ha School of Kyudo documented by K Melson December 2014 Copyright 2014, Zenko International