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Japanese reenactors

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benvenuto

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"Japanese men in traditional costumes fire muskets during a parade of 100 marksmen through the Shinjuku ward of Tokyo yesterday. The display is part of the grand festival of the Kaichu Inari shrine held every two years. Photo: AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi"
 
I just loved the photo... :)

The last guy on the right in blue was caught just as the primer went off...

I am inspired to go down to the library and get out some books on rennaissance japan again - I believe japanese musketeers had special styles of armour?
 
I am not specialist and i can be wrong. I was reading the book about battle of Kawanakajima in 1561.
There was there commentary about developing of japanese firearms in that time. First muskets (teppo-ko) were noted in Japan in 1542 and they were portugese pattern matchlock. Soon 1550 Japanese had a new typ of armour, founded to protect the owner from balls. The armour like these on Your picture was called "okegawa-do" and it was the copy of the portugese armour. Elastic, made from many pieces of iron protects from balls better then armour made from one plate of iron.
The black powder weapon was the real revolution in Japan. Armys of local lords (about 5 000- 10000 men) now rised up to 80 000 - 120 000 !
And from that moment the "Sengoku Age" ("Country in War Age") started. This period it is favorite topic of most samurai movie. Specilly these of Akira Kurosawa. He showed japanese shooters always in simple uniforms. It is possible, that poor people served exactly as shooters.

By the way it is interesting why Japaneses did stay by match locks? Do You know some example of japanese flintlok ?

But, as i saied i am not a specialist :)
Best regards and Heappy new Year for You both :hatsoff:
 
Thankyou and happy new year to you!

I have seen one japanese flintlock conversion, but the picture was very low resolution and had no explantion. Might even have been korean or vietnamese not japanese.

I just bought the DVD of Kurosawa's "Ran"and am looking forward to viewing for the first time in 18 years. I believe in one seen he used 5,000 extras firing matchlocks!
 
Bartek said:
It is possible, that poor people served exactly as shooters.
Ashigaru, the foot-soldiers, being the bulk of the samurai army and also equiped with matchlocks. Then called Teppo-tai. Check out the battle of Sekigahara 1600 and afterwards. Teppo-tai making great success!
ARILAR :grin: :thumbsup:
 
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