Gunbai: Ancient Japanese Warfare

Japanese Armor Weight  When it comes to armor, of any type, the questions that came into mind are usually these ones: How much does it protect you, how much does it restrict your movement and finally; How much does it weigh? Today I would love to answer this latest question, talking mainly about two style of Japanese armor; the classical " O'Yoroi" and the modern "Tosei Gusoku" with the associated auxiliary pieces. Okegawa dou ( 桶側胴 ) from   甲冑名所図 An Oyoroi ( 大鎧 )  from  甲冑備考 ( I would have love to add something more regarding the style of early DouMaru & Haramaki -  胴丸 & 腹巻 , but the lack of any decent data was disturbing, so they would be only mentioned with some estimations). DISCLAIMER: The data found on this post were collected through museum collections, private collections & auction houses and therefore subjected to possible errors. The estimations are mine ( an amateur researcher which some logic behind

Wakyuu ( 和弓) - The Japanese Bow DISCLAIMER: Since the article is longer than the expectations, here is a little Index: - History : Different bows structure and composition from the Yayoi to the Edo Period - The asymmetry, length and draw techniques explained - Power and range : Draw weight estimation, maximum range recorded and other sources - Arrows and quivers : Arrows types and quivers types - Bow & Armour : Some estimations and accounts Have a nice reading!!                                                    A copy of the famous Mouko Shurai Ekotoba   蒙古襲来絵詞 History & Structure The Japanese Bow or Wakyuu ( 和弓 ) , also called Yumi ( 弓 ) , is one of the most interesting weapons used by the ancient Samurai warriors, but its history is even more older. Like in many countries, bows were tools for hunting before being weapons, and Japan was no exception. Stone arrowheads unearthed by archeologists suggest that bows and arrows have b