Page 105 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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▶ KOBOSHI KABUTO ▶ YUMI
Hachi or helmet bowl
Date 15th–16th century Date 19th century
Origin Japan Origin Japan
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Material Iron, copper gilt, Honda Weight 7 ⁄4oz (220g)
leather, silk, lacquer 1
family crest Length 4 ⁄2ft (1.36m)
High-sided, multi-studded helmets The design of the yumi (Japanese
in the style known as koboshi kabuto bow) has been unchanged since
could contain as many as 2,000 at least 1000ce. It was built with
rivets. It was quite common for a Shikoro bamboo glued to the back and
good helmet bowl to be recycled: or neck guard front. The grip was positioned
this one was refurbished with a near the lower end to allow the
new neck guard, visor, and crest bow to be used on horseback.
ornaments, for a member of the
Honda family. EAST ASIAN WEAPONS AND ARMOR

Shortening shown by original hole for grip at end of tang
Flat-sided blade without a ridge
▲ TANTO BLADE Daggers were thrust through
Date 1400 a sash on the left-hand side when
wearing armor. The tanto (dagger) Reinforce ring
Origin Japan
blade was acutely pointed and
Weight 5oz (145g) sturdy, designed to pierce armor
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Length 8 ⁄2in (21.8cm) when opponents were engaged in
hand-to-hand combat.
▶ IRON CANNON This small cannon was fired from a
Date c.1400 trestle-like stand. It was cast with
a bulbous breech region to resist
Origin China
pressure. Rather than firing a single
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Length 18 ⁄2in (47cm) projectile, it was loaded with a
Bore 10cm number of smaller missiles.
Swollen Muzzle
breech region
Monster motif Wooden scabbard
on hand guard
bound in gilt iron

▲ JIAN The jian (Chinese straight sword)
Cutting edge Date Early 15th century was the favored weapon of figures in
both Taoist and Buddhist mythology.
Origin China
This sword, with a richly decorated
Weight 2 ⁄4lb (1.3kg) hilt and scabbard, was made for
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Length 35 ⁄2in (90.3cm) presentation to a Tibetan monastery.
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Tang to fit bamboo arrow shaft Rattan binding to prevent
joints weakening from damp

▲ YA NO NE Japanese archers used many ▼ TACHI The tachi was a long sword worn
Date 18th century shapes of ya no ne (arrowheads). Date 18th century slung from the belt, attached by
These examples are forked heads the sageo (cord) on its scabbard. The
Origin Japan called karimata because of their Origin Japan tachi was superseded by the katana
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1
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Weight ⁄4–1 ⁄2oz (20–40g) resemblance to a skein of geese. Weight 4 ⁄2oz (130g) for civilian wear by samurai, but
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Length 7–9 ⁄2in (18–24cm) They have a long tang to fit into Length 29 ⁄4in (74.5cm) remained the proper weapon
the bamboo shaft. to be worn with armor.
Sageo (cord) of
Wooden hilt covered with gilded Dutch leather Bronze kojiri (tip guard)
rayskin and bound with silk Wooden scabbard covered decorated with a butterfly
with lacquered cloth