Essential Samurai Tools

The Instruments of War

When diplomacy failed and the clash of arms became inevitable, the samurai marched not only with weapons in hand but with an entire logistical and symbolic arsenal designed to manage chaos, inspire troops, and secure victory. Whether stationed in a castle keep, sweeping into enemy territory, or preparing to clash on open plains, the samurai had to be tactically equipped for every facet of war. Yet, the tools they brought with them went far beyond blade and bow. Let’s delve into the essential items of a samurai campaign—objects that were as strategic as they were symbolic.

1. Hata (Flags and Standards)

Flags were more than simple identifiers—they were the nerve centers of battlefield coordination and communication. Large standards led armies into combat, waving defiantly at the head of a column of warriors. Once battle commenced, these standards were typically moved to a side position, maintaining their visibility without drawing fire to the commander’s location.

Due to the vast variation in armour colour and design, friend and foe could be difficult to distinguish in the frenzy of combat. To counter this confusion, warriors attached sashimono—small banners mounted on poles fixed to the back of their cuirasses (dō)—allowing units to visually distinguish allies amidst the storm of arrows and flurry of spear thrusts.

Within castles or camps, standards were positioned to face the enemy, a symbolic challenge and declaration of intent. Meanwhile, shinobi scouts used specially prearranged flag signals to relay intelligence to the main army. Flags were code—each movement and colour a message. This covert system allowed silent communication across great distances, keeping the army a step ahead.

2. Maku (War Curtains / Jinmaku)

A symbol of command and a physical structure of strategic necessity, jinmaku, or war curtains, were used to define and protect the command area. Suspended between poles, these curtains formed a fabric perimeter for field encampments, offering privacy and an added layer of defense for commanders planning their next move.

Historically referenced in texts such as the Konjaku Monogatarishū and visibly illustrated during the Mongol invasions, jinmaku evolved from simple sleeping enclosures to sophisticated military backdrops bearing clan crests (mon) that proclaimed identity and authority. By the Muromachi period, their design had become standardized, a hallmark of samurai warfare.

In castle grounds, these curtains encircled the main keep, providing commanders with a temporary inner sanctum from which to observe and orchestrate battle strategies.

3. Shōgi (Folding Stool)

Every commander needs a seat from which to survey the chaos. The shōgi was a folding stool—simple, portable, and practical. It served not only as a place of rest but as the literal seat of authority. Behind the veil of war curtains, a general would sit cross-legged on the shōgi, clad in full armour, sword at his side, war fan in hand.

The stool marked the general’s presence and symbolized command. Planning, consultation, and decision-making took place from this humble perch—often the very spot from which the tide of battle would be directed.

4. Tate (Shields)

Unlike their European counterparts, Japanese warriors did not carry handheld shields. The emphasis on two-handed weapons like spears, bows, and swords meant shields had to be stationary or portable structures, not personal gear.

According to martial historian Donn F. Draeger, large, human-sized wooden shields were employed in siege warfare and while organizing troops before deployment. These shields—propped up with a single hinged leg—offered crucial cover from enemy projectiles.

Antony Cummins, in Samurai & Ninja, describes how bamboo bundles were also fashioned into shooting shields, complete with arrow ports, allowing archers to return fire from protected positions. Even more advanced were wheeled shields, mobile defensive structures that could be pushed into strategic locations to protect advancing forces or to secure strongpoints under fire.

5. Taiko (Drums)

The taiko was not just an instrument—it was a voice on the battlefield. In times of war, drums transmitted crucial messages: when to assemble, when to charge, when to retreat. The thunderous beat could coordinate attacks across wide swaths of terrain, guiding troops over the din of combat.

In a castle setting, drums signaled the time and monitored the rhythm of daily life. But in war, they were the pulse of an army. Care had to be taken that these signals didn’t betray strategic intentions to the enemy—a mistimed drumbeat could mean disaster.

6. Horagai (Conch Shells)

If drums were the pulse of an army, the horagai—a conch shell turned trumpet—was its cry. The horn’s distinct sound cut through the battlefield, carrying messages that flags or smoke signals could not—especially at night or when visibility was poor.

Used by both commanders and yamabushi warrior monks, the conch shell could signal a successful raid, a call to arms, or an urgent retreat. The horagai’s tones were varied, each message encoded into shrill or low-pitched calls. It was a spiritual and martial sound, resonating with authority.

7. The Warrior’s Personal Kit

No samurai entered combat without their own personal ensemble of gear. This included:

Armour (Yoroi): A full set typically comprised a kabuto (helmet), menpō (face guard), dō (cuirass), kote (armoured sleeves), haidate (thigh guards), and suneate (shin protectors). The level of protection varied by rank—ashigaru (foot soldiers) wore lighter sets, while elite samurai had access to full suits of lacquered, clan-decorated armour.

Weapons: The samurai’s arsenal featured the yari (spear) and yumi (bow) as primary battlefield weapons. The spear was particularly valued for its reach and ease of use—ideal for thrusting at the enemy in close quarters. Bows were used to rain down volleys from a distance. The katana, although iconic, was often a secondary weapon on open battlefields.

War Fan (Tessen): Both weapon and command tool, the tessen could signal troops or be used in close combat. It’s famously credited with saving Takeda Shingen’s life when he deflected an attack from Uesugi Kenshin using his iron-ribbed fan.

Sashimono: As noted, these back-mounted banners served to mark rank, affiliation, and identity—critical in a battlefield with little standardization in armour.

Conclusion: A War Machine Beyond the Sword

To imagine the samurai as solitary sword-wielders would be to overlook the intricate machinery of feudal warfare. The success of a campaign relied not only on individual skill but also on tools of coordination, defense, communication, and symbolism. Each item—from the jinmaku curtain to the horagai shell—played a role in crafting a system where structure and spontaneity could coexist.

This martial toolkit made the difference between confusion and command, between defeat and glory. And it is in this ensemble of objects—not just the steel of a blade—that the true legacy of the samurai’s battlefield discipline resides.