# data[].attributes.body
http://www.livescience.com/39277-samurai-swordsmen-weapons-photos.html

# data[].attributes.body
Japan only converted from sword to gun once European vessels arrived in Japan.

This may be because Japan needed the assurance to know that they wouldn't be abolished if a war was created.

They may have done this so they have a better means of defence against foreign countries.

Possibly following the "western-approach" towards military equipement.

Most of the firearms that were developed in Japan were rifles that contained the "flint-lock mechanism." ** Information on this is found top right in another blog post thingo, etc.

Japan did not have many of the manufacturing goods for the creation of rifles, pistols, etc. So they turned towards foreign countries such as the Netherlands, especially for the Gewehr, a single-shot rifle that have the "flint-lock" mechanism in place.

# data[].attributes.body
When firearms were later discovered in Japan, Japan

didn't seem to bother with development nor production. This was due to them not needing extra firepower.

Only when European traders and vessesls arrived later on near Japan, did Japan start developing and manufacturing firearms.

These were rifles and pistons that contained the "flint-lock" method for firing (information located in abovet padlet

# data[].attributes.body
Katanas are traditionally made from a specialised Japanese steel called "Tamahagane" which is created from a traditional smelting process that results in several, layered steels with different carbon concentrations. This process helps remove impurities and even out the carbon content of the steel. The smith begins by folding and welding pieces of high and low carbon steel several times to work out most of the impurities. The resulting block of steel is then drawn out to form a billet.

# data[].attributes.body
Many of the firearms were most commonly created out of wood, as well as steel, etc.

Most of the firearms were made out of sturdy wood, and contained a flintlock mechanism.

The flintlock mechanism contained a small stone of flint, steel, iron as well gunpowder and a bullet/pellet.

They had very little firearm products because they didn't have the expertise to create them themselves.

This is why they looked upon other countries for imports and trade.

This also benefited other countries, especially the Netherlands, which was Japans closest trading partner.

# data[].attributes.body
The Flintlock method is used in guns that contain a flintlock mechanism

It was introduced roughly in the 17th Century, and rapidly replaced other mechanisms in guns, such as the matchlock mechanism, etc.

It continued to be the most commonly used mechanism in guns the the next 2 centuries, but was then later replaced in the mid 19th century by cartridge based systems, etc.

Flinlock mechanism: Basic goal is to create a spark that ignites the gunpowder inside the barrel of the gun. This increase pressure in barrel and launches bullet/pellet out of the barrel.

It uses a "flint-and-steal" approach

Method:

- Flint is amazingly hard rock

- If you strike steel or iron flint flint, tiny specks in iron/steel will come off, and because of the friction caused between the two objects, it'll ignite the iron/steel to rapidly create fire.

- What you see as sparks are in fact specks of metal burning rapidly due to the friction caused between the two objects.

- If these sparks come into contact with gunpowder, it will ignite it!

The flinlock method is created with:

- Flint

- Steel/Iron

- Gunpowder

- Firearm

- Projectile (bullet/pellet)

Source

# data[].attributes.body
The first swords in Japan didn't actually originate in Japan but was brought over from China and Korea both swords had to edges and were straight. Japanese people started making swords in aroung 2000BC.

The story goes that a Famous samurai fell asleep in front of a campfire, without noticing that his blade was partly in the fire. He awoke to find his cloak on fire, so began banging at it and the red hot sword with a nearby cooking pan. The pan dropped carbon onto the blade as he hit it, and actually strengthened the sword.

The creation of a katana can take days and was a sacred art. Several artisans were involved in the fabrication of the sword. One smith would forge the blade, another would fold the metal and another would polish the blade. There were even specialists who attended to sheath, hilt, and tsuba (handguard). The most famous part of fabrication process was the folding of the metal. As the name implies, folding is a process in which the metal is bent over itself and hammered flat. The folding process creates multiple layers which increases the strength of the metal. The number of folds varied from one sword to another, but swords with more than 16 folds were uncommon (all this folding eventually led to the infamous Origami Swords; complete failures in combat, but nice to look at.)

# data[].attributes.body
Firearms were introduced during the 13th Century in Japan, but weren't used as much as swords, etc.

In 1543, European firearms were introduced, when foreign european ships entered Japan for trade, etc.

Intense manufacturing and development for these followed shortly after this period.

This happened during conflict in the 16th Century

Japan almost abolished the use of firearms the a period of seclusion known as the "sakoku."

Usage of firearms started again in 1854, when Japan made further contact with foreign countries

Soon, some Japanese started studying and experimenting with the most recent European firearms at the beginning of the 19th Century, and was only a means of defence against incoming foreign vessels to Japan.

Through the process of studying Westernised firearms, air-guns were developed between 1820 and 1830.

From 1828, procedures were in place to make firearms with the "flintlock" mechanisms.

Nagasaki samurai started importing flintlock firearms from countries like the Netherlands. One example of a gun that was imported was the Gewehr.

# data[].attributes.body
Ethan- 3 Primary (Modern)

Bailey- 2 Secondary (Past)

# data[].attributes.body
http://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/MOMENTSFROMTHEPAST/RUSSO/26825878_KFFfPF/2319580479_GLnrs5r#!i=2319580479&k=GLnrs5r

Quick Overview

The Russo-Japanese War (February 8th, 1904-September 5th, 1905) was described 'the first great war of the 20th Century'. It was caused by political and economic rivalry between Japan and Russia in Manchuria and Korea and was somewhat unusual in that none of the fighting took place in the homeland of either antagonist. Most of the fighting on land took place in Southern Manchuria whilst at sea, most of the action was around Port Arthur and in the Yellow Sea. It was notable as the first major conflict between a major European power and an emergent Asian nation and a perfect example of the axiom that it is possible to win all of the battles but to lose the war. On land, the small, German-trained Japanese Army proved to be more than a match for slow, old-fashioned and unwieldy Russian Army whilst at sea, despite individual acts of great heroism, the old-fashioned, poorly led Russian Navy proved to be no match for the small but modern, Royal Navy-trained and equipped Japanese Navy. The saga of the Second Baltic Squadron under Admiral Rozhestvensky, climaxing in the Battle of Tsushima, is worthy of a feature film on its own, whilst the North Sea Incident brought Russia and Britain to the brink of war. The War was brought to an end by the Treaty of Portsmouth in September 1905, by which time Japan was economically and militarily crippled. Russia, wracked by internal political problems which would eventually lead to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, had little interest in pursuing the War and agreed to withdraw from Korea and relinquish the lease of Port Arthur. Military casualties were thought to be about 200,000 but, as no body counts were kept, these are only very rough estimates.

# data[].attributes.body
Artillery:

The Tactics of Advancing, Positioning, and Deploying

**A moving barrage or creeping barrage was a barrage that lifted in small amounts, usually 100 yards every few minutes, so that it moved forward slowly, keeping pace with the infantry.British practice evolved to normally fire at two lines simultaneously. Eventually three patterns of advancing the barrage developed. In a creeping barrage fire moved from one line to the next. In a block barrage the ‘block’ moved as block to the next lines that were not previously engaged. In a rolling barrage the fire on the line nearest to own troops moved to the first unengaged line furthest from own troops.

By late 1917 the technique of a creeping barrage had been perfected and could be made to move in complicated ways, with the barrage wheeling or even combing back and forth across the same ground to catch the defenders re-emerging after the barrage had passed,but it was still governed by a timetable. The British developed the “quick barrage”, a standardised barrage pattern that could be ordered by radio without advance plotting of the fireplan on a map.

Fact: Up to 10% of people were expected to be killed or wounded by short-falling shells when it was first used.

# data[].attributes.body
"Weapons of Ancient Japan" http://www.geocities.ws/kai4nihon/Weapons/SamuraiWeapons.html

"Japanese Weapons"

http://www.japaneseweapons.net/

"Mymoto Musashi"

http://cernyboy.weebly.com/mymoto-musashi.html

"Bushido - Wikipedia"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushido

"Seppuku - Wikipedia"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku

"Weapons of Ryukyu Kobujutsu" http://www.geocities.ws/kai4nihon/Weapons/RyukyuWeapons.html

"Making of katana"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana

# data[].attributes.body
Means: "The Way of the Samurai."

Originates from the Samurai's moral codes, and stresses frugality, loyalty, martial arts and honour unto death. Bushido was also influenced by Shinto and Zen Buddhism. This allowed the violent existence of the Samurai to be tempered by wisdom and serenity.

** It was developed between the 9th and 20th Centuries.

Under the Tokugawa Shogunate, some parts of Bushido became formalised into Japanese feudal law.

# data[].attributes.body
A form of Japanese ritual suicide, and was usually only done by Samurai warriors. It was part of the Bushido honour code for Samurais. Samurais usually committed Bushido voluntarily to die with honour at the end of an unsuccessful battle, for they didn't want to fall into the hands of the enemy. It was also a form of capital punishment for Samurais who had committed serious offences, or did other bad deeds that had brought them to shame.

# data[].attributes.body
Thursday- Annotate- Five Sources- Primary + Secondary

Thursday- Period 2- Write a blurb for the Japanese Exhibition night

Homework- Continue researching

Next Week- Finalise Research

# data[].attributes.body
**http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_weapons_did_the_Japanese_use_in_the_russo-Japanese_war (Weapons Russo-Japanese war)

**http://weaponsandwarfare.com/?p=5268#chitika_close_button (Artillery weapons Russo-Japan)

# data[].attributes.body
Rifles, Artillery, Telephones,

**The 20th century's FIRST war there were NO airplanes, submarines, or tanks. The primary rifle for the Russian Infantryman was the bolt action Mosin-Nagant 7.62mm model 1891 rifle. The primary rifle used by the Japanese Infantryman was the bolt action Arisaka 6.5mm model 1897 rifle.

The Russian and Japanese battleships which fought at the Battle of the Yellow Sea in 1904, and the Battle of Tsushima in 1905, had 12" guns as their primary armament. 8" & 6" guns as their secondary armament; mostly for defence against torpedo boat attacks.

**The use of goniometers for measuring angles, panoramic sights, field telephones (especially by the Japanese), and even aerial observation by balloons allowed the commanding officers in the field to use their artillery firepower against targets outside the line of sight of the batteries used.

**These technological advances, together with the increase in the range and effectiveness of the guns, made it possible to concentrate the fire of a whole army corps on a single target. At the battle of Liaoyang, for example, medium and heavy artillery were massively employed. On the Japanese side alone there were 56 heavy guns and mortars and a total of 470 guns. During the battle of Sha-ho, 48 Russian guns fired 8,000 rounds in 40 minutes; at the battle of Tashihchiao, a battery fired 500 rounds per gun.

**The tactics of advancing, positioning, and deploying the artillery forces evolved as well.

** the Japanese and the Russians alike started using heavier guns with recoil systems. Japanese artillery corps were equipped with the Arisaka Type 31 gun as their main field gun until 1902, although they were occasionally equipped also with a small number of the 105-millimeter Model 38 field gun. The Imperial Guards, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Divisions, and their kôbi brigades were issued the field version of the Arisaka gun. It was capable of firing high-explosive or shrapnel shells up to 4,500 meters.

# data[].attributes.body
Spears, bows, swords (most commonly used)

Bows:

** Until the 16th Century, bow and arrow were the most effective weapon in battle, especially when at range. There was an art of mounted archery, called "Bakyujustu," for this consisted on archery on horseback.

Spears:

** In 17th Century, a destroyed Portugese ship drifted into Japan, containing muskets and spears. The musket was far more powerful than bows, and so Oda Nobunaga saw this as a key for victory. Soon samurais used spears to their advantage against mounted enemies and many battles were won.

Yari: Most standard weapon of the 'bushi,' and was very similar to spears from other countries

Naginata: Instead of a spear-head, it had a sword like blade, and was most commonly used with modern-women

Sword:

** After Tokugawa Ieyasu established shogunate in 1603, no battles occurred until the 19th Century because they were so powerful. The spear was abandoned and the sword took its place. Skill was now more important that strength, and the art of sword fighting flourished. Samurai started to believe that the sword was the spirit of Bushido. They always equipped themselves with two swords: the katana and the wakasashi.

Nodachi: A Japanese sword with a long, curved blade, and was more frequently used on horseback.

Kodachi: Is a sword of medium-length, and can be used as a throwing weapon, as well as a good defensive weapon. This is because it was easy to manoeuvre.

Katana: Isn't just a weapon, but the soul of the Bushi, and is the most sophisticated form of the beauty of killing. It is distinguished from other swords by its slightly curved blade and sharp edge.

Wakizashi: Used as a secondary weapon in battle, as well as for committing 'seppuku'/'harakiri' in battle.

Tanto/Aikuchi: Basically a pocket knife, but in the hands of a skilled user. Can be very deadly in close-combat battles, and was also used as a throwing weapon.

Other:

Tekko: Used as modern knuckle-busters, and were usually spoked for additional damage. Although a close-combat weapon, it can be very powerful in the hands of an experienced fighter.

Kama: It is used as a harvesting tool on crops in Japan, but it can also be used as a weapon.

Tonfa: Originally used for pounding, and can be used as an extension to a punch, swung by its handle, or used to trip your opponent. Can also be used to block oncoming weapons.

Sai: A very versatile weapon used for stabbing as well as hitting you opponent. Can also be used to intercept or break a sword with its arms.

Rochin & Tinbe: More of a counter-attack weapon.

Kusari-Gama: A small sickle with a long, thin chain. It can cut enemies, or tangle enemy limbs. Can also be used to disarm enemies with the chain.

# data[].attributes.body
1. What weapons did they use?

2. How did they use their weapons?

3. What were they made out of?

4. How were they made?

5. Did it effect other countries?