What role does a shield play?

[Kristoffer O]

Of course they are useful. Historically only the japanese failed to see this fact.

[Pocus]

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
Of course they are useful. Historically only the japanese failed to see this fact.

because they catch arrows with their hands, or cut them in two with their katana. Everybody knows that.

[Kristoffer O]

[Joonie73]

The Japanese used shields. What are you talking about?

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
Of course they are useful. Historically only the japanese failed to see this fact.

[Psitticine]

I believe he's talking about martial arts movies and the like, not actual Japanese military tradition.

[Jasper]

Originally posted by Psitticine:
I believe he's talking about martial arts movies and the like, not actual Japanese military tradition.

Umm, errr... I'm not sure how to politely say this, but that sure doesn't fit with what I've read of Japanese military history -- although admitedly I'm an amateur not an expert.

Perhaps you could direct me to a source? I'm most curious to see how the Japanese made use of shields.

[Edit: Arg! I responded to the wrong post.]

[ December 03, 2003, 03:19: Message edited by: Jasper ]

[Saber Cherry]

Originally posted by Joonie73:
The Japanese used shields. What are you talking about?

You fool! What you saw were samurai spinning their swords so fast that they merely appeared to be large round shields!

And besides, there is no honor in hiding behind a shield

Seriously, though - I've never seen a Japanese shield, and I've seen lots of Japanese armor. I cannot say for certain that such things never existed, but I've never seen any evidence of them... most shields did not tend to be as durable as body armor or helmets (shields had a lower proportion of metal) so they didn't survive as well, and so, maybe in ancient history there were wooden Japanese shields that have since decayed... but I've never seen them in books, paintings, or any other art either...