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Shogun The fight school, 1543-1640
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A Taste of the Exotic East... The word SHOGUN is best known here in the west as the title of the novel by James Clavell, the fictionalised tale of the first Englishman in Japan, but as ever the truth is far more interesting... In 1543 the Portuguese were the first Europeans to land in Japan, unfortunately they arrived at the closing stages of a one hundred year old bloody civil war, that had another 90 to go. When they came they brought with them a massive improvement in firearms technology, which the SAMURAI, the warriors of old Japan adopted at lightening speed, using them alongside their outstanding swords, bows and amazing armour. Japan was slowly being unified under a succession of military rulers, the last of whom TOKUGAWA IEYASU, was to be aclaimed as SHOGUN, "great barbarian suppressing general". In 1600, a few months before the greatest battle of the wars at the cross roads of a little place called SEKIGAHARA, a Dutch ship, piloted by an Englishman landed in TOKUGAWA's lap, complete with muskets and cannon. Eventually William Adams from Gillingham in Kent, became the first foreign born SAMURAI, and senior advisor to the SHOGUN, remaining in Japan until his death in 1620. He was laid to rest just outside of the military capital of EDO, modern day Tokyo. In 1623 the last of the English traders retreated home and within 20 years of Adam's death all but a dozen or so Europeans had been kicked out of the country, as the new SHOGUN sealed Japan off from the outside world. A situation that remained until the Americans forced its re-opening, by threatening to flatten the capital EDO in 1853. With the exception of a SAMURAI revolt in 1877, by 1868 the SAMURAI as the ruling elite were gone. Organised by The Fight School, SHOGUN aims to bring alive that first century of European contact with Japan, with special focus on the era of the English presence. Above is a picture of a display put together for the "Will Adams Festival" held in Gillingham, Kent in September 2004. At left wearing the KASA or TAKE-GASA (bamboo "hat") is Simon Anderson, while in the centre watching the proceedings is Andrew Mellor, a very fine swordsman, both are wearing KOSODE (a "small sleave" KIMONO (jacket), KOBAKAMA ("small" knee length "trousers"), an OBI (cloth belt) and KAIHAN (gaiters), the typical clothing of the SAMURAI of the late 16th and early 17th century. Finally in the armour is myself, Dean Wayland, starting a game of "GO", a seemingly simple strategy game. The armour is a modern Japanese all steel replica in the TOSEI GUSOKU style meaning a "modern suit" circa 1550 onwards, its black carrying box can be seen at the far left. The armour has an OKEGAWA-DOU or "barrel shaped body". The KOTE or "sleaves" are of SHINO-GOTE style, steel "splints and mail" sewn to a textile base, as are the SUNEATE or "shin guards". The HAIDATE or "thigh guard" is of TATE style, "shields" or scales. Japanese armour is rendered flexible by the use of silk or as in this case pale blue cotton lacing. In front of the table are another pair of KOTE, belonging to Andrew, which are of superior make. At the far left can be seen a pair of GETA, or wooden pattern/clog type footwear, where as I can be seen wearing TABI (sox) and WARAJI (straw sandals). At the back of the table you can also see a SAKE set (bottle and small cups), although for this event it did not contain rice wine (SAKE) but water. In the foreground you can also see a pair of swords, the DAISHO meaning "big-small" or long and short sword of the KATANA and WAKIZASHI form, the mark of the SAMURAI. Lying along the back is a 7 foot long YUMI or bow and a wicker work rucksack (far right). Please be our honoured guest at our little encampment at this year's Military Odyssey. For more information please visit our website at: www.thefightschool.demon.co.uk/SHOGUN.htm Or contact me, Dean Wayland at: dean@thefightschool.demon.co.uk SORE DEWA! Cheerio!
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