Ancient Japan Factoids

[ToshiMaru]

Once in a while, a person's research brings them some sort of interesting information that, well, makes them want to reveal it to others. So, this thread is for any interesting information about ancient japan. please put the information Quotes, then if you desire, put a little comment under the quotes.

EX.

The Samurai's Chivalry code was called Bushido, as to the Ninja's code was called Ninpo.


They were typically the same in a lot of ways.

[Aucillion]

I believe these facts are true but some of them come from people like the writters of legend of the 5 rings RPG writters and GURPS books such as GURPS Japan and GURPS Martial Arts (the GURPS books try to be accurate I know that much) considering my sources and that they are not here in front of me some of the info may be false but I hope not if you find something false be sure to call me on it because I would like to know too ;)


Except for Eta japanese did not eat foods with high animal fats they said it made people stink and they did their best not to touch dead flesh except for the Eta whose duty it was to handle such things I think they may have used some leather in armor (not sure but it was still disgusting) but I doubt they used it in clothing I also believe that fish were not considered animal fats could be wrong but I know they did eat it quite a bit but I dont believe they ate cows back then but I know they eat beef in the modern day

when a normal japanese touched dead flesh they would have to do some ritual to cleanse themselves of it before they entered the temple I guess samurai did this quite a bit (as they were warriors) so the cleansed themselves when they went to give thanx to the kami

The Katana did not bend because somebody bent it, it bent because of heat treating they put I believe clay on the spine of the blade so it would flex and left the edge of the blade exposed when they put it in water I believe this is how japanese katanas go their beutiful hamon line but dont quote me on it I do know this that making a straight katana took more effort to prevent it from bending then a curved katana and I'm talking about a katana not a ninjato or other straight bladed sword

in feudal japan their can be no conviction without a confession this was generally obtained by toture

[Kiros]

Here is some info about the clothing.. just so people can get an idea.. not sure but this might be usful.
Japanese Clothing - Clothes

Japanese clothing and traditional japanese clothes much like U.S. clothing is worn to compliment the seasons. The traditional forms of Japanese clothing in general is called wafuku. Japanese clothing and japanese clothes are worn also based off a persons age or by the event.

Japanese Clothing - Japanese Clothes and Seasons
In the spring, bright colors and spring floral patterned japanese clothing is worn. In autumn, japanese clothes with fall colors and fall patterns are worn. Japanese clothing designs may include chrysanthemums or maple leaves. In the winter, especially near the holidays, japanese clothing with patterns and designs such as the bamboo, pine trees or plum blossoms or worn for they signify good luck and prosperity. The fabric of the japanese clothing also plays a role in the seasons. In the summer, cotton clothes are worn whereas in the fall and winter, heavier or lined clothing is worn.

Japanese Clothing - Japanese Clothes and Eventskimono
Customarily, woven patterns, dyed clothing and repetitive patterns are considered informal japanese clothing. Examples of traditional informal japanese clothing are; cotton yukata, woven cotton haori and dyed ikat kimono. These types of japanese clothes would be used as daily wear, for bath houses or for informal friend and family visits.

Formal japanese clothing normally takes on either of two characteristics; very elaborate designs or a simple elegant designs. A few examples of elaborate designed japanese clothes worn for an event are uchikake wedding kimono and festive happi coats. The more elegant designs, subdued colors or solid pattern formal japanese clothes would be worn for paying formal visits, funerals or by married women for weddings or formal functions.

Japanese Clothing - Japanese Clothes and Age
For women in particular, traditional japanese clothing like the kimono is not only worn based on the persons age but also by their marital status. Young unmarried women wear kimono with long sleeves that are very vibrant, colorful and rich with patterns. Married women or older women would wear simpler more subdued clothes.

Traditional Japanese Clothing Types
The traditional forms of japanese clothing or japanese clothes in general is called wafuku. Traditional japanese clothing can be broken down into the following clothing categories.

Kimono - meaning clothing or things to wear is the basic japanese clothing

Yukata - the summer kimono

Nagajugan - undergarments

Clothing Accessories - obi, shoes, socks, etc.

Haori - short silk jackets

Michiyuki - Overcoats

Hakama - japanese pants

Uchikake - most formal kimono

Shiro-maku - wedding kimono

[ToshiMaru]

Heres some more i've found out.


In most modern day media and other forms of looking at ninjas, they are mostly depicted as wearing black colored "Shinobishozoku(Shi No Be Sho Zo Ku)" but in acuality, ninjas rarely wore them. Ninja's were spies and so their disguises mostly were worn depending on the occasion. Ex. Traveling Medicinal Salesmen, A ronin, or a peasant.

The Tokugawa Shogunate was one of the periods that ninja's mostly flourished. Throughout shinobi history, the two most famous clans were the Koga and Iga Clans. Although mostly depicted as conflicting with each other in fiction; in reality they were allies with shaky pacts, and were both employed by the Tokugawa Shogunate.


the Wiki (http://www.wikipedia.org) IS the ultimate research tool, GET WITH IT! :dunce:

[Tenshin]

On missions with no cover, ninja often wore Grey, Maroon, Brown or Blue Shinobishozoku. The Iga ninja traditions are still alive today, through 34th Soke: Masaaki Hatsumi, but several years ago the last true Koga ninja died... And I believe it was from a car accident. :(

A samurai usually was named by combining one kanji from his father or grandfather and one new kanji. Many samurai had intentionally phonetically same names as a great ancestors to honor their greatness and hope this samurai would be as good. This name was applied after genpuku. He also had a childhood name. Most samurai had a second name and also used his title as a part of his name. Oda Nobunaga would be officially called "Oda Kouzukenosuke Owarinokami Nobunaga" and he would be referred as "Oda Kouzukenosuke" or "Oda Owarinokami".

[ShininShado]

Here is a factoid - blacksmiths tested the strength of the weapons they made on dead peasants or prisoners.

[Xtracted]

There are things that suggest that japanese armour, weapons and martial arts was introduced in about 700 BC by a Babylonian king. The king brought a manual written in "gods capitals" (sanskrit?) and that Amaterasu Ohmikami ordered the manual to be translated into kanji. An army was built, soldiers trained and weapons and armour developed, all from that manual. The manual was known as "Amatsu Tatara" and was separated into many scrolls, some of them were;
Hibun Shiron, Shinpi Kansei No Maki, Kanseiron No Maki, Shinrihen No Maki, Kanagihen No Maki, Hokyo Hiden No Maki,
Tenmon Chimon No Maki, Chikujo No Maki, Jinei No Maki, Gunryaku No Maki, Juho Kajutsu No Maki, Kishajutsu No Maki, Kenpo Hishohen No Maki, Sojutsu Hibun No Maki, Naginata Hishohen No Maki, Bojutsu Hishohen No Maki, Jutaijutsu Kappohen No Maki and Bekkan.

[Kamakiri]

Wow, lots of cool info.

We are about to start on Japan in my Eastern Civilization 101 class, and I hope to take the 300 level course specializing on Japan's history...

[MattyQ]

Recommended reading:
The Samurai: A Military History by Stephen R. Turnbull

I just thought I'd put this book out there - it was one of the books I used during my research of the Tokugawa shogunate/pre-Tokugawa. It's a little hefty (More than 300 pages) but it is incredibly indepth and offers a great look at the military history of Japan and the samurai.

For props, Stephen Turnbull is considered the leading non-Japanese scholar on samurai and Japanese military history.

[ToshiMaru]

Samurai's were rarely taken from peasants, the majority of them were to be born from aristocracy(rich family blood lines).


Correct me if im wrong --> via PM