DBA Armies

This list covers the Japanese army of the Later Kofun, Ritsuryo and Early Heian states that preceded the rise of the Samurai. Kofun armies intervened in Korea and Ritsuryo armies fought in Korea against Tang China, but mainly against the wild Emishi of northern Japan. Initially the army were mainly provided the nobles and their retainers of uji clans. Most were armoured archers who shot from behind a line of portable pavises, but some others instead fought with spears up to 14 feet long. These clan troops were replaced in the Heian period by conscript Heishi militia, who fought in deep combined formations with pavises for the front rank. Armoured cavalry had been copied from Korea, but with weaker horses and lacking lances. Horse armour had been abandoned by the start of this list. Although a few captured Sui Chinese artillery pieces were acquired in 618, artillery became widespread in the mid-7th century and was important in the Jinshin war of 672. References: Heavenly Warriors W.W. Farris, The History of Japanese Armor (Volume 1) - From the Yayoi period to the Muromachi period R. Nakanishi, Slingshot 251 & 252.