7820nr+Ancient+Civ+Project

** Weapons and Warriors  **
 * Medieval Japan: **


 * Noah Rodelius **


 * Reading and Language Arts **
 * Mr. Schoch **
 * June 7, 2012 **


 * When you think of the Medieval Japanese you think of ninjas, well you thought wrong. The Culture that I am researching is the Medieval Japanese people, Japan also means “Land Of The Rising Sun.” Japan is East of Asia’s mainland, it is an island in the Pacific Ocean. Japan's first time period was the Heian period between 794 and 1185 their next period was the Kamakura period between 1185 and 1333. Its legacy is mainly Samurais and shoguns.(Shoguns, Samurai, and Japanese Culture) **


 * One part of their Samurai culture are their weapons, Specifically clubs and other blunt weapons.The first weapon is the Kanabo. The Kanabo is a wood or iron weapon with iron spikes used to break the bones of other warriors and their war horses(Classical weaponry of Japan).The next club weapon is the Hachiwara, or the skull breaker. this weapon had a tip but was blunt, the tip was used to tear off the opponent's armour.(Classical weaponry of Japan)The last weapon in this section is the Tekkan, or an iron bar used to whip people.The Tekkan was the same shape o **[[image:http://i83.servimg.com/u/f83/14/33/54/97/kanabo10.jpg width="448" height="356"]]**  f a katana but blunt and iron. Most people carried this around since katanas were not permitted to peasants(aribo gojo). Now to the next medieval Japan fact.  **


 * The next is the samurais sharp weapons starting with the katana.The katana was traditionally used by the samurais because it was thin and sharp and easy to pull from its sheath so it could slash the enemy faster(katana evolution). The next weapon is the yari. The yari is a spear like weapon used for throwing and is is safer to use then a katana, this helped samurais in battles many times(Japan and China: Japan, Its History, Arts, and Literature). The last sharp weapon is the kiku-ichimonji, it is basically an upgraded katana, it is sharper, faster and more lightweight. This helped the samurai warriors greatly by the opposite side using less powerful weapons(http://www.toshizo.com). **
 * Lastly there is the armour section starting with the Do-maru which means body wrap, mainly because it covers the chest. This particular type of armour was used on foot while other chest armours were only used on horseback(Oriental Armour). Then there is the tatami, which is a type of foldable armour. The tatami consists of a folding chain mail jacket a **
 * nd a helmet(The Samurai). The last type of armour is the mengu(Samurai) and kabuto(Early Samurai). The mengu is a type of facial armour that cover most or all of the face while securing the kabuto on top of it.The kabuto is the ceremonial part of the samurais armour usually being very elaborate. **


 * After a while the medieval Japanese were outrun by the technological advances of Japan. What they have left behind are weapons and their culture. Still today some people train to be modern samurais. The medieval Japanese civilization taught us how to be good fighters, know how weapons work and how to use them. Also the samurais were loyal to their companions and to others. The samurai way will never be forgotten. **


 * Glossary: **
 * blunt:Having a worn-down edge or point; not sharp **


 * sheath: acaseorcoveringforthebladeofasword **
 * chain mail: A type of armour consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh **
 * Definitions from: [|www.merriam-webster.com/] **


 * Picture sources: **
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 * Works Cited **
 * "All about the Katana Sword." Authentic Japanese Samurai Swords Samurai Warriors Katana Ninja Swords. Web. 14 May 2012. . **
 * "All about the Katana Sword." Authentic Japanese Samurai Swords Samurai Warriors Katana Ninja Swords. Web. 14 May 2012. . **
 * "Classical Weaponry of Japan:." Google Books. . 06 June 2012. . **
 * "Classical Weaponry of Japan:." Google Books. . 06 June 2012. . **
 * "Early Samurai:." Google Books. Web. 06 June 2012. . **
 * "Japan and China: Japan, Its History, Arts, and Literature." Google Books. . 06 June 2012. . **
 * "Katana: The Samurai Sword." Google Books. . 06 June 2012. . **
 * "Medieval - M2 Online Handout | Imaging Japanese History." Medieval - M2 Online Handout | Imaging Japanese History. Web. 21 May 2012. . **
 * "Oriental Armour." Google Books.. 06 June 2012. . **
 * "Samurai:." Google Books. . 06 June 2012. . **
 * "The Samurai." Google Books. Web. 06 June 2012. . **
 * "Shoguns, Samurai, and Japanese Culture." Shoguns, Samurai, and Japanese Culture. Web. 14 May 2012. . **
 * Sunzi, and Samuel B. Griffith. The Art of War. London: Oxford UP, 1971. Print. **
 * "Â VÂ IÂ gÂ Ã Â mÂ Ã Â Â¤Â Â ." Â VÂ IÂ gÂ Ã Â mÂ Ã Â Â¤Â Â . Web. 06 June 2012. . **