Page 144 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

142 EAST ASIAN WEAPONS ▶ YARI

WDER 1500–1680 Staff weapons, the bow and the gun—rather than the Origin Japan 1 Long wooden shaft
Date 16th century

1
Length 3 ⁄4–19 ⁄2ft (1–6m)
sword—were often the primary weapons of Japanese and
Chinese military forces. Despite their technological advances,
The yari was a straight-headed spear.
Its length ranged from 3ft (1m) to 20ft
east Asian armies’ firepower was initially limited: although
(6m). The longer versions were called
the Chinese had invented gunpowder, it was reintroduced in
omi no yari, while the shorter ones were
a more effective form in the Middle East and Europe in the
known as mochi or tae yari. The longest
versions were carried by foot troops,
16th century. Around the same time, in 1543, the matchlock
and the shorter versions by samurai.
gun arrived in Japan, and was used in large numbers; however,
AND GUNPO during the peaceful Edo period (1603–1868), gun-making Brass-bound Hand guard of brass Hook on rear
edge of blade
in Japan all but ceased.
shaft
▲ GUANDAO
Staff weapons of this type, resembling
PIKES Date 19th century European glaives, had been in use for Match-holder Elaborate sight block holds blades of
centuries in China. Made in the style of
Origin China
a 16th-century weapon, this example has a
Weight 11 ⁄2lb (5.2kg)
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thin, flexible blade issuing from a cast-brass
varying heights for different ranges
guard that resembles a dragon’s head.
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Length 8 ⁄4ft (2.52m)
Lock and furniture made
of brass to resist corrosion

▲ KAKAE ZUTSU Kakae zutsu (hand cannon), some with bores
3
Date 17th–19th century of up to ⁄4in (2cm) in diameter, were used to
Trigger batter down doors and to launch incendiary
Origin Japan missiles. Their weight meant that they had
Weight 14 ⁄4lb (6.7kg) to be shot from the waist, or from a support.
3
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Barrel 26 ⁄2in (67.5cm) The lock in this example has an internal
spiral spring to operate the match-holder.
Caliber 18.7mm
Serpentine match-holder
is forward-facing Bore standardized to simplify
Owner’s heraldry ammunition supply
Brass lock cover plate

▲ HI NAWA JU The hi nawa ju (matchlock gun) was Match-holder
Date 17th–19th century introduced to Japan by the Portuguese
from their base at Goa, India, in 1543.
Origin Japan Within 25 years, manufacturing centers
Decorative Weight 2 ⁄4lb (1.29kg) were producing thousands of these guns
3
brass inlay
Barrel 36 ⁄4in (93.7cm) for arming foot soldiers, and the matchlock
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had become a decisive weapon in battle.
Caliber 15mm
The decoration in black and gold lacquer
was added later.
Long
Leather-covered grip Disk-shaped guard Steeply bent butt bar-trigger

Thumb lever for
▲ CHANGDAO Chinese long swords of this kind are cocking hammer
Date 16th century similar to the Japanese swords known
as odachi. However, unlike the odachi,
¯
¯
Origin China the changdao has a long tang riveted Stock made of red oak
Weight 6lb (2.72kg) through the brass pommel cap.
Length 5 ⁄4ft (1.57m)
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