DBA Armies

This list covers Japanese armies from the rise of the samurai until after the Mongol invasions. Aggression is rated as low only because civil war prevented many overseas initiatives! Although “samurai” and “bushi” later became synonymous, at this period only senior warriors qualified for the title. Generals and bushi wore armour, fought with bow and “tachi” sword, closely followed by retainers mostly armed with naginata. These are best represented as 6Cv; with the foot forming the back row of the element. When dismounted to deploy as 4Bw, retainers were left with the horses. References: Heavenly Warriors W.W. Farris, Weapons and Fighting Techniques of the Samurai Warrior T. B. Conlan, Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan K. Friday, Samurai Mitsuo Kure.