Equipment - Kaiju Realms Encyclopedia

Overview

To make one's mark on the world, rōnin need the right equipment. For martial sorts, and even those less inclined to them, armor and weapons are vital pieces. These might be found for sale in large settlements and cities, custom-ordered from smiths, or requisitioned from guild merchants and military arsenals. Regardless of the origin, both armor and weapons are vital pieces of equipment for any who seeks carve themselves a legacy in the war, brave vicious oni, or explore the unknown reaches of Kamiato and the Kaiju Realms.

Armor

For conscript infantry, renowned samurai, and rōnin alike, armor is key to staying alive. The majority of armor worn in Kamiato is constructed of cloth, mail, and leather or metal scales in the form of lamellar or brigandine. While warriors from all sorts of backgrounds may broadly wear the same components, the methods of constructions and the degree of coverage and greatly alter the effectiveness of this equipment. Only wealthy rōnin, powerful clan samurai, and the like are able to venture into danger wearing a full suit of armor, especially those constructed using more specialized methods. The average conscripted infantry (ashigaru) and rōnin just beginning their careers may find themselves scavenging different pieces of armor as they come to afford them, or as they become available through other means. Meanwhile, the recent advances in warfare technology have led to the manufacture of new types of armor, constructed from solid metal plate. This new type of armor (called tosei), designed to better protect the wearer from black powder weaponry, is highly effective, but expensive, and full suits are uncommon.

Armor Glossary

The first list provides definitions for types, materials, and construction methods for pieces of armor, while the second defines common pieces and components for a suit of armor.

Armor Terms / Types / Materials

Gusoku: This term refers to a full suit of armor that covers the wearer from head to toe. It is typically comprised of many of the components in the list below. The term gusoku is often preceded by the manner of construction of the primary components. For example, a kusari gusoku is a full suit of armor that is primarily reinforced with mail.
Karuta: This type of armor is made of small lacquered square or rectangular armor plates made of metal or leather. They may be connected by kusari, or laced to each other. These plates are then sewn to a cloth backing.
Kikko: This type of armor is made of small hexagonal armor plates made of metal or leather. Like other types of armor, kikko plates could be connected to one another by kusari or lace and were sewn to a cloth backing to attach them to armor.
Kozane: Small lacquered scales made of metal or leather, laced together into armor strips to construct lamellar armor. This process could be time-consuming, and as a result, fairly expensive.
Kusari: Refers simply to chain—metal rings that can be linked together into "mail" to offer protection. It is frequently used to connect armor plates or to drape over vulnerable areas. It can also be worn over a cloth backing as a standalone type of armor.
Tatami: Lightweight, portable folding armor made with karuta, kikko, kusari, or some combination of the three, sewn to a cloth backing. These types of armor are the most common in Kamiato, being inexpensive, portable, and fairly simple to manufacture. It is worn by both foot soldiers and samurai, though the higher class samurai are able to afford much more elaborate variants that tend to offer more thorough protection.
Tosei: Armor made from larger metal plates instead of individual scales. It offers greater protection against firearms, but is uncommon and more expensive than other types of armor. Typically worn by higher class samurai and experienced rōnin.

Armor Pieces

These are far from the only pieces of armor worn by soldiers and rōnin in Kamiato, but they provide an overview of the most common varieties.

Dō: A cuirass that covers the chest. It can be made with a variety of materials and comes in multiple different types. A skirt of four–to–seven kusazuri usually hangs from the bottom of this chest armor.
Jingasa: A conical hat made from metal, wood, and/or leather. Commonly worn by light infantry (ashigaru) and decorated with an emblem that indicates the wearer's allegiance.
Haidate: An armored apron, tied around the waist underneath the chest armor, that covers the thighs and knees. It is usually made with tatami (see above) type construction.
Kabuto: A helmet made from metal plates with a neck guard that hangs from the bottom edge of the helmet on the back and sides. The neck guard is usually a lamellar type, constructed from strips of lacquered metal or leather that are laced together. Neck guards can also be made with many rows of small metal scales, or simple by sewing kusari to a cloth backing.
Katabira: An armored jacket that covers the torso and the arms. The karuta, kikko, and/or kusari armor sewn to this jacket may be exposed or hidden beneath a layer of cloth.
Kote: Armored glove-like sleeves that protect the wearer's arms and hands. Standard kote extend all the way to the shoulder, while han kote (half kote) end at the elbow. The most common variety is the tatami type, made from cloth covered with metal plates or splints connected by kusari, though standalone kikko or kusari types are also manufactured. These sleeves often include metal plates sewn to the cloth at the back of the hand called tekkō.
Kusazuri: Tassets that hang from the dō to protect the lower body and upper leg. These are usually of the same construction as the attached dō and connected to it with lace or kusari.
Manchira: An armored vest that covers the chest, neck, and armpits. It consists of karuta, kikko, kusari or a combination of armors sewn to a cloth backing. This vest can be worn as standalone, under plain clothes, or beneath a dō cuirass.
Mengu: Various types of lacquered metal or leather face masks with throat guards suspended from the mask's bottom edge. Types of mengu include hanbō—covering the chin and lower cheeks, menpō—covering the nose and extending down to the chin, sōmen—covering the entire face, and happuri—covering the forehead and cheeks. The throat guard may be constructed out of rows of metal or leather plates, or kusari sewn to a cloth backing. Menpō and sōmen are often decorated with details such as moustaches, pointed teeth, and hooked noses.
Sode: Pauldrons that protect the wearer's shoulders and come in both a large rectangular type (called ō-sode) and smaller, closer-fitting types (chu-sode). The size of the ō-sode allows it to be used almost as a shield in certain stances, while the chu-sode allows for greater ease of movement.
Suneate: Shin guards that protect the front of the lower leg, as well as the knees. The most common variety is the tatami type, made with metal splints joined with kusari and sewn to a cloth backing, though standalone kusari and tosei types are also manufactured.

Weapons

Most rōnin in Kamiato carry weapons of some sort. Most weaponry is the same sort as one might see in the hands of ashigaru and other soldiers and guardsmen, however, there are some types of weapons more commonly seen in circles of rōnin. While the yari and its variants dominates a vast majority of battlefield combat, rōnin are more likely to be seen carry katana, or even the exotic kusarigama into battle. This is often a means to distinguish soldiers and other guardsmen from rōnin. One other exception to this is black powder firearms, which have consumed the realm of battlefield combat, but remain heavily restricted among rōnin and non-military individuals.

Weapon Glossary

These lists provide written definitions for various melee and ranged weapons that are common to the Kamiato archipelago.

Melee Weapons

Ararebō: A smaller relative of the kanabō, this one-handed mace has a wooden shaft and a studded iron cap on one end.
Bō: This strong but slender staff is tapered at the ends and well balanced. It's designed to be an offensive and defensive weapon.
Chigiriki: This pole weapon consists of a wooden or iron staff connected to a metal weight by a length of rope or chain.
Chokutō: The straight, single-edged sword harkens back to a bygone era. While fairly uncommon, their distinctive shape makes them a common choice for rōnin that want to stand out.
Fuetsu: This medium-length war axe has been specially designed for warfare use, including a small metal spike at the back head for piercing armor.
Furibō: This two-handed, heavy wooden club is effectively a kanabō without spikes or studs. It is often considered a training tool, but can be deadly in the right hands.
Hanbō: This half-length bō staff can be wielded in one hand like a club or katana, or in two hands, similar to a full-length bō staff.
Jūmonji-yari: This cross-shaped spear consists of a straight spearhead, flanked by two side blades, both curving upward, similar to a trident.
Kama: This sickle-like farming tool has a short, slightly curved blade and a wooden handle.
Kama-yari: This sickle spear has a horizontal kama blade at the base of the vertical blade to assist in hooking an opponent's limbs. It is also an effective weapon for pulling mounted foes from a saddle.
Kanabō: This spiked or studded two-handed war club comes in many shapes, tapering or straight, with a round or polygonal staff. It may be constructed out of wood or solid iron.
Katana: This sword has a single-edged blade with a moderate curve and a small circular or squared guard. Its long grip is best suited for two hands, but it can also be wielded one-handed.
Kidzuchi: This small, one-handed mallet made of wood is carpenter's tool that can be used as a bludgeoning weapon if need be.
Kunai: This multipurpose gardening and masonry trowel has a leaf-shaped blade. Normally, only the tip is sharpened.
Kusarifundo: This weapon consists of a chain connected to a metal weight at each end. When a wielder swings the weights by the chain, they build momentum and can serve as bludgeons or impletemnts to entangle foes at a distance.
Kusarigama: This weapon consists of a weight attached to a kama via a length of chain. Both the sickle and the weight can be used to disarm or trip opponents and attack at a distance.
Masakari: This two-handed greataxe has a tall blade, and is associated with mighty warriors who make broad, sweeping attacks, often against multiple foes.
Nagaeyari: This 10–to–15-foot long spear trades effectiveness at short distances for extra reach and leverage. It is best used in a formation to keep armored opponents or cavalry at bay. Its length can make it unwieldy for rōnin who often find themselves in environments more cramped than open battlefields.
Nagamaki: This two-handed sword has a katana-like blade and an extra long handle, usually of about equal length to the blade. It is commonly used by foot soldiers to make slicing, sweeping attacks, or thrust at an enemy's unarmored points.
Naginata: This polearm has a long, fairly straight pole of wood or metal with a curved, single-edged blade at one end. Naginata often have a round or squared handguard, similar to a katana, and the long shaft helps keep the wielder out of reach of swords and shorter weapons.
Ninjatō: This straight-blade short sword has a square guard. Associated with rogues and other craft rōnin, their scabbards are often multipurpose tools, housing may secrets. (Note: there is no historical evidence regarding the existence of such a weapon.)
Nunchaku: This flail is constructed of two wooden or metal bars connected by a short length of rope or chain. While its construction is simple, effective use requires training.
Ōdachi: This two-handed greatsword has an exceptionally long blade and is designed to neutralize enemy mounts and counter the advantages of cavalry units. Its shape and size make it highly effective against charging opponents.
Ono: This short, one-handed axe is an agricultural tool that is well-suited to use as a weapon.
Sai: This trident-shaped dagger consists of a metal spike flanked by a pair of shorter side prongs that can be used to block an enemy's weapon or disarm them. It is often used in pairs.
Tachi: This sabre-like sword is similar to a katana, though the blade is typically longer, lighter, and more tapered. The blade also has a greater degree of curve, making it more effective than the katana when wielded from horseback.
Tantō: This short single- or double-edged dagger is primarily designed for thrusting. It may or may not have handguard.
Tessen: This folding hand fan is designed to look harmless, but its spokes are made of sharpened, heavy plates of iron allowing it to bludgeon and to slash. It is also effective for deflecting incoming attacks.
Tetsubō: The cousin of the kanabō, the tetsubō is a one-handed club made of solid iron. It may have spikes or studs, and comes in a variety of shapes, usually with a taper that gets wider toward the end.
Tonfa: This wooden baton has a perpendicular handle attached about a third of the way down its length. It is typically wielded in pairs and makes an effective defensive weapon.
Tsuruhashi: This war pick consists of a metal spike fitted to a wooden handle, that can be wielded in one or two hands. It is designed to punch through armor or break apart structures.
Uchi-ne: These short-shafted spears, comparable to darts, are only one-and-a-half–to–two-feet long. They are often fletched and weighted for throwing.
Uma-yari: This heavy lance can inflict devastating charging attacks in the hands of cavalry. It is designed to be used as a mounted weapon, as its length makes it difficult to maneuver in close quarters.
Wakizashi: This short sword has a curved, single-edged blade and a handguard similar to a katana. It is typically carried in a pair alongside a katana, or carried as a self-defense weapon for commoners who can afford one.
Yari: This simple spear has a straight, double-edged blade, and is commonly seen in the hands of ashigaru foot soldiers.

Ranged Weapons

Daikyū: This asymmetrical bow, made of laminated bamboo, wood, and leather, stands between 6-and-a-half and 8-feet in height. Using a daikyū while mounted limits the wielder's firing range to their left side.
Fukiya: This narrow tube is used for shooting blowgun darts, using only the power of a forcefully exhaled breath.
Furizunbai: This basic stave-sling consists of a rod attached to a small cradle, used for slinging stones. It is often used during games and for festivals, but can make for an effective ranged weapon as well.
Hankyū: This asymmetrical bow, made of laminated bamboo, wood, and leather, stands about 5 feet tall.
Shudo: This simple handheld crossbow is modeled after larger crossbows used during sieges. They are rather uncommon, and more often seen in the hands of rōnin than soldiers.
Shuriken: The term shuriken describes a type of thrown weapon derived from various everyday items made of metal, usually shaped like flat iron plates or spikes.

Firearms

Bajō-zutsu: This matchlock pistol is a status symbol for officers and mounted cavalry. It is short enough to be aimed and fired with one hand, but more powerful and more accurate than the shorter-barreled tan-zutsu.
Hiya-zutsu: This handheld cannon fires thick, rocket-like incendiary arrows. A slow-burning fuse is ignited before firing, and upon hitting the target, a black powder charge in the head of the fire arrow detonates, spreading flames in the vicinity. They are most frequently deployed in naval warfare, for their ability to set enemy ships aflame.
Ōzutsu: This handheld cannon made of forged iron fires bullets weighing up to 75 grams. It is muzzle-loaded, which slows the weapon's rate of fire, but it packs a powerful punch. They are often used in naval warfare and during sieges.
Tan-zutsu: This matchlock pistol can be a status symbol for high-ranking soldiers. It lacks the firepower and accuracy of the teppō, but its short length makes it easy to maneuver and use at close ranges.
Teppō: This matchlock arquebus is more powerful and requires less training than a bow to use effectively, but its low rate of fire and the possibility of misfires make it more effective en masse.