12. FMP: Context (Samurai Weapons and the Kanabō)

The next area of research that I need to cover for my project is weaponry, due to the nature of my animation being based on war and battle. In order to be historically accurate with my weapon choice, I decided to do research on samurai weapons.

Samurai Weapons

Katana: This sword served as the main weapon for the Samurai. It is a long thin and swift wielded sword that they used in battle. The name Katana comes from the translation of the word ‘Long Sword’.

Wakizashi: The Samurai’s secondary sword of usage, and only slightly shorter than the katana. It is used for combat in situations that favored shorter weapons over an enemy with only one sword, and is the first weapon of choice to use to behead the enemy. The word can be translated to ‘Side Inserted Sword’.

Tanto: A small sword that takes an appearance similar or identical to today’s dagger, which the Samurai used for all purposes, such as close-up and surprise attacks. It is also a useful multi-purpose blade that can be used for many different tasks and challenges.

Kama: Used as farming tools (similar to a sickle) and also used as weapons in battles. These were made to be used ambidextrously.

Fans: Built from metal so Samurai could slice their foe, defend from a projectile, and even used for throwing. The fan could be concealed or carried around in high-security areas, being used as an unexpected weapon in scenarios that didn’t allow obviously visible weapons to be sheathed.

Kanabō

The kanabō is a type of weapon that consists of a heavy, cylinder-shaped club with spikes on the head and an attached handle. The Kanabō is a type of Japanese weapons that were used from around the 14th century. Kanabō were originally made of hardwood of Japanese chestnut, yew, or oak and cut into block-shaped bars around 1-2 meters in length, and sometimes had steel iron nails implanted in them. The head of the weapon is made of metal.

A kanabō is more or less a wooden club, similar to a baseball bat or mace, but styled with protrusions/spikes at the end of the handle to maximize the damage it can cause. It was a well-used weapon for the feudal period, the rise of the kanabō peaking due to its capability of crushing the armour of opponents. However, the rise of the popularity of the kanabō led to the rise in the usage of more developed armour. Kanabō-type weapons also became a type of staff weapon that was used for martial arts and combat in feudal Japan, where many villages had a forge where the blacksmith forged Japanese weapons, including the clubs, for the village.

Kanabō weapons are typically associated with the Oni, who are Japanese Yokai that are seen as extremely strong and brutal fighters in tales.

Linking in with my Oni research, having knowledge on the kanabō is very helpful in order to be able to conceptualise and relate my Oni character back to the definitive features of a culturally-accurate Oni.

Harvard References:

Japanjunky. (2020). A Guide To Japanese Samurai Weapons. [online] Available at: https://japanjunky.com/samurai-weapons [Accessed 20 Feb. 2022].

japanoscope.com. (n.d.). The Kanabo: A Deadly Japanese Weapon with a History – Japanoscope. [online] Available at: https://japanoscope.com/kanabo-weapon/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2022].

Samurai Swords Store. (2016). Kanabo – Samurai Weapons. [online] Available at: https://samuraiswords.store/kanabo/ [Accessed 23 Feb. 2022].

450 Years Old Antique Katana Sword(Nagamaki Noshi) for Sale | Samurai Museum Shop. 18 Sept. 2020, http://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-japanese-sword-katana-unsigned-ujifusa-nbthk-hozon-certificate/. Accessed 23 Feb. 2022.

Antique Japanese Wakizashi Signed by Kanenenori | Samurai Museum Shop. 21 Mar. 2020, http://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-kanenori-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate/. Accessed 23 Feb. 2022.

“Fixed Blade Hunting Knife with Sheath D2 Steel Tanto Blade.” Perkin, perkinknives.com/product/fixed-blade-hunting-knife-sheath-d2-steel-tanto-blade/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022.

“Kama Live Blade.” Giri Martial Arts Supplies, http://www.giri.com.au/product/kama-live-blade/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022.

“Tessen, Fighting Fan, Mid Edo Period, “1615-1867.”” 1stDibs.com, http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/asian-art-furniture/more-asian-art-furniture/tessen-fighting-fan-mid-edo-period-1615-1867/id-f_16178522/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2022.

11. FMP: Research (Yaksha/Yaksi)

Although my project is revolving around Japanese/Chinese culture, I wanted to look into a different type of Asian spirit- as Asian culture is both very similar and very different. I decided to look into the Indian spirit, the Yaksha, to look at the similarities between Indian cultural creatures and the Japanese Yokai.

Yaksha

The Yaksha (the feminine form of the word being Yaksi or Yakshini), is a group of nature spirits, usually carrying a well-behaved and peaceful air about themselves, but can also appear mischievous. They are connected to water, fertility, trees, the forest, treasure, and wilderness, originating from Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts, and being significant in ancient and medieval era temples of South Asia and Southeast Asia, serving as guardian deities.

In Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts, Yaksha have a two-sided personality. On one hand, a Yaksha can be a well-natured nature-fairy, associated with forests and mountains, but there is also a morbid side to the Yaksha- a type of ghost (Bhuta) that haunts the wilderness, misguiding and devouring travelers.

In early Indian art, male Yaksha are portrayed as either fearsome strong warriors or as small and dwarf-like. Female Yaksha (Yaksinis), are portrayed as attractive young women with round happy faces and full breasts and hips.

In well-known Buddhist literature, the Yaksha are the servants of Vaisravana (the guardian of the northern quarter), a God who protects the righteous. This term also refers to the Twelve Heavenly Generals who guard Bhaisajyaguru, the Medicine Buddha.

After reading into the Yaksha, I have been able to make the connection between the idea of Asian spirits. Spirits internationally have the ability to guard and protect, and simultaneously destroy. The Yaksha have the power to cause trouble despite attending to holy deities, which is similar to Yokai. However, the key difference is that Yokai are portrayed in a bad light due to their mischievous nature, usually merciless and revolving purely around themselves. The Yaksha, however, are praised spirits in Indian culture, as their duty above all is to protect.

This research is very informative as I have learned that the main factor of spirits is their own abilities to either do good or evil. Although from different cultures, the idea stays the same.

Harvard References:

Yaksha | Hindu mythology | Britannica. (2019). In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/yaksha [Accessed 25 Feb. 2022].

Encircle Photos. (n.d.). Yaksha Giant Close Up at Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. [online] Available at: https://www.encirclephotos.com/image/yaksha-giant-close-up-at-grand-palace-in-bangkok-thailand/ [Accessed 27 Feb. 2022].