The Forgotten Shields of Japan: A Comprehensive History

🛡️Shields were integral to Japanese warfare, providing active defense against enemy weapons.

🏹As mounted archery became prevalent, shields were less commonly used by samurai, who favored bows and armor.

🛡️Ashigaru fighters, foot soldiers, made use of hand-held shields like the tedate and jingasa hats.

🏹Stationary shields, such as the tate and pavise, were used to protect archers while allowing them to fire arrows.

🛡️The invention of firearms saw the development of shields combined with straw to slow down bullets or provide cover.

Why didn't samurai use shields?

—Samurai prioritized mounted combat and bows, which made shields less practical. Armor also provided additional protection.

Were shields used in Japanese armies?

—Yes, shields like the tedate, tate, and pavise saw use in various periods, providing protection and cover for soldiers.

What was the purpose of hand-held shields?

—Hand-held shields were used for active defense against enemy attacks, including edged weapons and arrows.

Were shields effective against firearms?

—Shields were adapted to provide cover against early firearms by using straw to slow down bullets, although armor was still preferred for protection.

What replaced hand-held shields in Japanese warfare?

—Armor, such as the o-yoroi and its sturdy shoulder pauldrons, provided protection that rendered hand-held shields less necessary.

01:46Japanese shields have been often overlooked in the study of Japanese warfare.

05:02Hand-held shields, like the tedate and jingasa, were used by ashigaru foot soldiers.

09:08Stationary shields, such as the tate, were used to protect archers in battle.

14:01The use of firearms led to the development of shields combined with straw to slow down bullets.

16:47The o-yoroi armor's shoulder pauldrons provided protection comparable to hand-held shields.