Authenticity Requirements in Sixteenth Century Japan
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 1:31 pm
Compulsory Military Service
Decreed by Hojo Ujimasa
Fifteenth Year of Tensho [1587]
1. All men, without distinction as to being of the samurai class or
common people, in this country ... are ordered to come and register
for the service of this province in an emergency. Of these, eight [are
to be drafted].
2. They are to bring with them any of the following three weapons: an
arrow, spear, or gun. However, a spear, whether its shaft is made of
bamboo or wood, is useless if it is shorter than two ken [about 12
feet]... The registration applies to all men from fifteen to seventy
years of age.
3. Those who respond to the call must prepare their daggers and
military emblems in such a way as to make them look like worthy warriors.
4. If an able-bodied man is deliberately left behind, he and the one
who ordered him to remain behind will be beheaded immediately by the
Minor Deputy... of the county upon hearing of it.
5. Anyone who abides by the provisions of this circular diligently,
whether he be of the samurai class or of common men, can be expected
to receive awards.
Quoted from Japan: A Documentary History by David J. Lu
Emphasis mine. It is a bit of stretch, but I had fun reading this as a period authenticity requirement.
Decreed by Hojo Ujimasa
Fifteenth Year of Tensho [1587]
1. All men, without distinction as to being of the samurai class or
common people, in this country ... are ordered to come and register
for the service of this province in an emergency. Of these, eight [are
to be drafted].
2. They are to bring with them any of the following three weapons: an
arrow, spear, or gun. However, a spear, whether its shaft is made of
bamboo or wood, is useless if it is shorter than two ken [about 12
feet]... The registration applies to all men from fifteen to seventy
years of age.
3. Those who respond to the call must prepare their daggers and
military emblems in such a way as to make them look like worthy warriors.
4. If an able-bodied man is deliberately left behind, he and the one
who ordered him to remain behind will be beheaded immediately by the
Minor Deputy... of the county upon hearing of it.
5. Anyone who abides by the provisions of this circular diligently,
whether he be of the samurai class or of common men, can be expected
to receive awards.
Quoted from Japan: A Documentary History by David J. Lu
Emphasis mine. It is a bit of stretch, but I had fun reading this as a period authenticity requirement.
