초기 일본 무사의 전투양상 분석- 군키 모노가타리(軍記物語)의 전장 묘사를 중심으로 -

Abstract

In this article, famous three "gunki monogatari," are compared and analyzed with each other to analyze the battle patterns of the early Japan Bushi(warrior). The first subject in question was the correlation between the bow, which was established as a symbol for early Japan Bushi, and the battlefield. The study of the patterns of the early Japan Bushi on the battlefield demonstrates heavy dependence on bow as a main weapon. They usually engaged in long-range fights with a row of pavises set up next to each soldier, so that they could fire arrows behind them. Since many of them could not afford weapons and armors required for the warrior class that began to emerge at the time, the portrayal of battles in the stories suggests that the casualties were relatveily small because the main weapon was a bow. Although the combat patterns changed over time and the depiction of long-range combats using bows become increasingly rare in the later Gunki Monogatari, but the bow as a symbol of the warrir class, Bushi, survived. The next topic was the relationship between religion and Bushi. In the literary works, Bushis often turn to gods and Buddha in many ways, such as by worshiping God, offering prayers, or asking for protection. Also, when gods and Buddha responds, it is interpreted as a sign of victory. This suggests the significance of religion among the Japanese Bushi class in the early days. The last characteristic of the Bushi class can be found in their relationship with the general public, or peasants, of the time who were largely kept out of the battlefield. Specifically, the fiction shows how the Bushi class was regarded and recognized by other classes. In the stories, the warrior group is portrayed as having little regard for the suffering of the general public because they have little to do with war. A closer look into the descriptions, however, fails to find any evidence that such an attitude caused resentment or grievance. This suggests that such violence and aggression was not particularly unusual for the early Japan Bushi. This also corresponds to the stereotype of the early Japan Bushi as a cruel and violent band, and such an image was so embedded in the minds of the commoners at the time that they took it as a given.