Why Did Samurai Not Use Shields

All pre gunpowder military doctrine evolved around the shield.

Why did samurai not use shields. Shields were not carried nor used after that point. Samuraiantiqueworld image forum however around the time that the bushido code and samurai warriors became the manner in which the japanese chose to fight the use of shields decreased and then abruptly ended. The samurai did use large body covering stand on the ground type shields to defend against arrows and later bundles of bamboo likewise placed on the ground to defend against guns but once in a short range battle hand shield prevented two hand weapon use which included archery most samurai carried a bow and quiver necessitating the use of both hands long two hand lances and as gray sensei says the japanese sword. From my knowledge samurai didn t use shields because they saw it as a dishonourable way to fight for you are protecting yourself with an object and not a sword.

Total war and other depictions of samurai dominated japan soldiers never seem to use a shield. Spider man does not fly he falls with style. Why did japanese samurai not use shields. Perhaps that s a false assumption.

Aug 2 2016 2 42pm zero samurai of any rank nor any bushi caste warriors in feudal japan used shields. I assume the bushido code was a consequence rather than a cause. Why did the japanese samurai not use shields. The use of shields in japan.

It hardly seems like that difficult of a concept to muster especially considering as a samurai s primary weapon was the bow. Upper class japanese warriors bushi or samurai never used a shield since both hands were needed for the bow spear or sword. I know they considered it dishonorable and cowardly. In games like shogun 2.

On why didn t the samurai use shields as often in addition to the inconvenience a hand held shield poses to a horse borne archer one of the clearest reason is because the unique samurai armour the kogusoku and ōsode. Their armour was designed to absorb both arrow hits and sword thrusts. A historical presentation about ancient japanese warfare and some specific military choices made by the ancient japanese warlords. Although the preference is not to use hand held shields sometimes the samurai class did use shields whilst riding into battle.

Please consider supporting me on patreon for more and better.