Nagashino
The Sengoku Jidai--Japan's Age of Warring States
What were the causes of the Sengoku Jidai?
○ The causes are complex and multifaceted, factors include the breakdown of centralized
authority, the emergence of powerful regional lords (daimyo), economic and demographic
changes and territorial disputes among various factions
Who were the Ikko-Ikki? Why were they important?
○ Ikko ikki was a movement of peasant farmers and buddhist monks in japan during
sengoku jidai period. They were important because they were able to challenge the
authority of the samurai class and establish their own independent domains, which posed
a significant threat to the ruling powers. They played a role in spreading the teachings of
pure land buddhism among the common ppl
How did the daimyo rule their domains? What were the connections between the daimyo
government and military power?
○ Daimyo ruled their domains as semi autonomous rulers, maintaining their own
governments, legal systems, and armies. They relied on a complex network of alliances
and vassalage to maintain their power, often competing and fighting with other daimyo
for resources and territory. Military power was crucial to their rule, as their armies
allowed them to defend their domains, expand their influence and assert their authority
over their vassals. The daimyo often relied on their military commanders(generals or
samurai) to maintain order and enforce their will.
The Armies of the Daimyo
Who were the samurai? How did their fighting methods and techniques evolve over time?
○ The samurai were a social class of warriors in feudal japan who served the daimyo lords.
Their fighting methods and techniques evolved over time, starting with horseback archery
in the Heian period, and then shifting to close quarters combat with swords and spears in
kamakura and Muromachi periods. The introduction of firearms in the late 16ty century
led to changes in samurai tactics, as they adapted to new weapons and battle stratergies.
The peacful Edo period saw a decline in actual combat, and the samurai shifted their
focus to the development of martial arts and the cultivation of cultural and intellectual
pursuits
Who were the ashigaru? What were their roles in daimyo armies?
, ○ The ashigaru were foot soldiers in feudal japan who were recurited by daimyo lords to
serve in their armies Typically peasants or commoners who lacked training and status of
the samurai. Were important for their numbers and ability to use firearms, bows, and
other weapons in battle. Formed bulk of daimyo armies, played a crucial role in battles
and seiges
How did the daimyo armies develop over the course of the Sengoku Jidai? What were the key
developments?
○ Over the course of the Sengoku Jidai, daimyo armies in japan underwent significant
eveloment. Initilaly armies consisted of mostly samurai and ashigaru infantry armed with
bows and spears. Then the introduction of firearms in the 16th century led to changes in
tactics and strategies. Armies became more organized and professionalized. The use of
calvary and artillery also increased, and daimyo lords began to build larger and more
powerful armies to assert their authority and expand their territories
The Coming of the Gun
How was Japan first exposed to gunpowder weapons? Why did early gunpowder technology not
have a significant effect on Japanese warfare?
○ Japan was first exposed to gunpowder weapons through contact with the Portuguese in
the mid 16th century early. Gunpowder technology did not have a significant effect on
Japanese warfare initially because the japense already had advanced martial traditions
and effective weapons systems, such as samurai sword and yumi bow. additionally , early
guns were unreliable, difficult to use, and require significant resources to produce,
making them a luxury item that only the wealthy daimyo lords could afford to field in
battle. It wasnt until the later 16th century that gunpowder weapons began to have a
significant impact on japanese warfare
Who were the Portuguese? Why were they the first Europeans to make contact with the Japanese?
○ Portuguese were a european maritime superpower in the 15 and 16 century. Tey were the
first europeans to make contact with japan because of their maritime exploration and
trading activities in asia. They arrived in japan in 1543 when a portuguese ship was
driven off course by a storm and landed on the island of tanegashima. This led to
establishment of trade reactions between the 2. An introduction of new tech, including
firearms and christianity
What were the characteristics of the matchlock arquebus? What were its strengths and
weaknesses?
○ The matchlock arquebus was an early type type of firearm introduced to japan in the 16th
century. It had a long barrel and was fired by igniting gunpowder with a slow-burning
The Sengoku Jidai--Japan's Age of Warring States
What were the causes of the Sengoku Jidai?
○ The causes are complex and multifaceted, factors include the breakdown of centralized
authority, the emergence of powerful regional lords (daimyo), economic and demographic
changes and territorial disputes among various factions
Who were the Ikko-Ikki? Why were they important?
○ Ikko ikki was a movement of peasant farmers and buddhist monks in japan during
sengoku jidai period. They were important because they were able to challenge the
authority of the samurai class and establish their own independent domains, which posed
a significant threat to the ruling powers. They played a role in spreading the teachings of
pure land buddhism among the common ppl
How did the daimyo rule their domains? What were the connections between the daimyo
government and military power?
○ Daimyo ruled their domains as semi autonomous rulers, maintaining their own
governments, legal systems, and armies. They relied on a complex network of alliances
and vassalage to maintain their power, often competing and fighting with other daimyo
for resources and territory. Military power was crucial to their rule, as their armies
allowed them to defend their domains, expand their influence and assert their authority
over their vassals. The daimyo often relied on their military commanders(generals or
samurai) to maintain order and enforce their will.
The Armies of the Daimyo
Who were the samurai? How did their fighting methods and techniques evolve over time?
○ The samurai were a social class of warriors in feudal japan who served the daimyo lords.
Their fighting methods and techniques evolved over time, starting with horseback archery
in the Heian period, and then shifting to close quarters combat with swords and spears in
kamakura and Muromachi periods. The introduction of firearms in the late 16ty century
led to changes in samurai tactics, as they adapted to new weapons and battle stratergies.
The peacful Edo period saw a decline in actual combat, and the samurai shifted their
focus to the development of martial arts and the cultivation of cultural and intellectual
pursuits
Who were the ashigaru? What were their roles in daimyo armies?
, ○ The ashigaru were foot soldiers in feudal japan who were recurited by daimyo lords to
serve in their armies Typically peasants or commoners who lacked training and status of
the samurai. Were important for their numbers and ability to use firearms, bows, and
other weapons in battle. Formed bulk of daimyo armies, played a crucial role in battles
and seiges
How did the daimyo armies develop over the course of the Sengoku Jidai? What were the key
developments?
○ Over the course of the Sengoku Jidai, daimyo armies in japan underwent significant
eveloment. Initilaly armies consisted of mostly samurai and ashigaru infantry armed with
bows and spears. Then the introduction of firearms in the 16th century led to changes in
tactics and strategies. Armies became more organized and professionalized. The use of
calvary and artillery also increased, and daimyo lords began to build larger and more
powerful armies to assert their authority and expand their territories
The Coming of the Gun
How was Japan first exposed to gunpowder weapons? Why did early gunpowder technology not
have a significant effect on Japanese warfare?
○ Japan was first exposed to gunpowder weapons through contact with the Portuguese in
the mid 16th century early. Gunpowder technology did not have a significant effect on
Japanese warfare initially because the japense already had advanced martial traditions
and effective weapons systems, such as samurai sword and yumi bow. additionally , early
guns were unreliable, difficult to use, and require significant resources to produce,
making them a luxury item that only the wealthy daimyo lords could afford to field in
battle. It wasnt until the later 16th century that gunpowder weapons began to have a
significant impact on japanese warfare
Who were the Portuguese? Why were they the first Europeans to make contact with the Japanese?
○ Portuguese were a european maritime superpower in the 15 and 16 century. Tey were the
first europeans to make contact with japan because of their maritime exploration and
trading activities in asia. They arrived in japan in 1543 when a portuguese ship was
driven off course by a storm and landed on the island of tanegashima. This led to
establishment of trade reactions between the 2. An introduction of new tech, including
firearms and christianity
What were the characteristics of the matchlock arquebus? What were its strengths and
weaknesses?
○ The matchlock arquebus was an early type type of firearm introduced to japan in the 16th
century. It had a long barrel and was fired by igniting gunpowder with a slow-burning
