08-03-2006, 11:32 AM
Individually, on a one on one basis, from what the historical records show and from the little I know, the Samurai must have been a good fighter. The problem, however, was rather the mass organization of Samurai forces. As the Mongols attacked in 1274 and 1281, it was apparent that the Samurai system, despite personal bravery, was still backwards in many ways in comparison to mainland Asia. Now, while it was no shame at that time to get not on top of the Mongols, rather pretty much the rule, the Mongols might have found Japan a rather easy target, because
a) lack of mass organization, tactics and strategy of Samurai forces
b) lack of cavalry
c) lack of armoury (despite the excellent Japanese craftmanship)
d) lack of stone fortifications
After the invasion, the Japanese tried to correct a), b) and c), with some measure of success, but it was ironically only the Imjin War in Korea (1592-99), with the exensive use of European fire weapons, which saw the Samurai armies became for the first time visibly superior to their mainland Asian counterparts.
The Japanese also rapidly adopted European plate armour at the time, with which they were immediately impressed, and even built with English help a European style warship, but this early policy of adoption endedprematurely with the massacre of the Christian and the expulsion of the Portuguese in the 1640s. If they had instead continued this path, events of the early 20th century might have perhaps taken place as soon as the 17th century. Or not. :wink:
a) lack of mass organization, tactics and strategy of Samurai forces
b) lack of cavalry
c) lack of armoury (despite the excellent Japanese craftmanship)
d) lack of stone fortifications
After the invasion, the Japanese tried to correct a), b) and c), with some measure of success, but it was ironically only the Imjin War in Korea (1592-99), with the exensive use of European fire weapons, which saw the Samurai armies became for the first time visibly superior to their mainland Asian counterparts.
The Japanese also rapidly adopted European plate armour at the time, with which they were immediately impressed, and even built with English help a European style warship, but this early policy of adoption endedprematurely with the massacre of the Christian and the expulsion of the Portuguese in the 1640s. If they had instead continued this path, events of the early 20th century might have perhaps taken place as soon as the 17th century. Or not. :wink:
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
