Comments on: The Sohei

By: Ina M.

Ina M. — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 12:09:01 +0000

A vaguely related question, but I’m doing research on Uesugi Kenshin, and struggling to find information on a very specific point. When he took his vows, would he have worn a white cowl over his helmet when we went into battle, or would he have dispensed with it in favour of a proper helmet with a face guard? I have found four different sets of armour online referenced as belonging to him, and they all have big helmets and face guards. I don’t know if they’re all from before he took vows, so I wonder if you have any information on that at all?

Example of one of the sets here: http://shop.japanese-armor.com/B012-Uesugi-Kenshin-Dragon-Armor-B012.htm

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 08:10:39 +0000

http://www.amazon.com/The-Teeth-Claws-Buddha-Monastic/dp/0824831233

I’d like to recommend this book, goes a long way to debunking the myth of the Sohei as naginata-wielding, cowl-wearing soldiers. Adolphson’s research reveals how this stereotypical image is actually a Tokugawa-era form of propaganda designed to propagate the idea of ‘evil monks’, and in reality, there’s not much evidence beyond later Tokugawa-era sources to suggest that the temple monk-warriors routinely wore the head-cowl on campaign, or employed the naginata exclusively.

By: David Meikle

David Meikle — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 14:37:29 +0000

Can anyone link me to where I can find more information on the Sohei in relation to their beliefs (Buddhism is such a broad title) and how they conducted their day to day life?

By: J Sensei

J Sensei — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:29:44 +0000

No problem, thanks again!

By: Dr Ariel Torres

Dr Ariel Torres — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:17:57 +0000

Oh, yes. Sorry for that and thank you for the correction. Infantry it is (and not cavalry). Regarding the shaku info, it was actually for your readers that are unaware of this (since I know that you are adept in Japanese culture). I just wanted them to understand what we were talking about so that they can relate. Regarding the helmet or head armor under their cowls, I concede that your research is correct. I just wanted to differentiate a simple helmet from a fully-articulated “kabuto” of a “Bushi” with “fukigaeshi” (helmet wings) and “maedare” (family crest). I don’t think those wide & tall accessories are under those cowls. Some even have large horns and antlers. I mean theirs was not just for protection but really for a grand show so that the wearer was very identifiable even from a distance. The cowls of individual Sohei make them appear anonymous when they are grouped together. In a group of Samurais, you can identify each one from their kabuto (as well as yoroi). Again, that info is for your readers, k. I feel its always nice to share things with others which is what you did for all of us who didn’t know details about the Sohei. Thank you for that and there should be a lot more people like you.

By: J Sensei

J Sensei — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:45:09 +0000

My research was very specific that Sohei did wear helmets under their cowls. I’m sure they didn’t wear the face masks… and I think you must have meant they were infantry rather than cavalry as their weapons would suggest. I hope you forgive me for not throwing “shaku” lengths around – I’m well aware of the term, but in writing a general article for an audience that may not have that level of depth yet, I didn’t want to drown people. Your details are certainly informative, and I do appreciate your pointing out that blade length is indeed “blade” length.

By: Dr. Ariel Torres

Dr. Ariel Torres — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:52:07 +0000

ERRATUM: The size of the “katana” (Japanese sword) that I mentioned is only for the “ken” (blade) and does not include the “nakago” (tang) inside the “tsuka” (handle). It’s only from the “kissaki” (ponted end) to the “tsuba” (handle guard) and “habaki” (blade collar). And not up to the “kashira” (pommel or end of the handle).

By: Dr. Ariel Torres

Dr. Ariel Torres — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:36:55 +0000

ADDENDUM: I also don’t think they wear a “mengu” (face armor) underneath the white cowl. They don’t have that much money for those things. As for their preference in using a “naginata” as compared to a “daito katana” (katana – single bladed sword; shaku – 11 to 12 inches; tanto katana – less than 1 shaku; shoto katana [either longer wakizashi or shorter kodachi] – 1 to 2 shaku; daito katana – 2 to 3 shaku; nodachi katana – 3 to 4 shaku; commonly called Japanese short sword, medium sword, long sword and field sword respectively), Sohei are usually cavalry since horses are also expensive while Samurai are usually mounted on horses. So it’s easier to use a “naginata” to dismount someone high up on a horse.

Hope my comments were informative to readers of your blog.

By: Dr. Ariel Torres

Dr. Ariel Torres — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:15:27 +0000

To call a “kabuto” as simply a Samurai hat is disrespectful. The head armor of a “Bushi” is more elaborate than being called a hat. It symbolizes the leadership and service as exemplified by “Bushido”. Especially if paired with a matching “mengu” (face armor) consisting of either a “somen” (full face mask), a “happuri” (forehead & cheek armor), a “mempo” (nose to chin armor), a hanbo (mouth to chin armor). And then there’s the “yodare-kake” (neck/throat guard). Similar to the Jedi Knights of Star Wars, they are the protectors of justice. And so they must also be protected to continue their service to their “daimyo”. But I get what your anonymous reader wanted to say. A samurai wears a kabuto while a sohei wears a white cowl with no head armor underneath.

By: J Sensei

J Sensei — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:38:01 +0000

I will not. That was a graphic created for me by a friend as a thumbnail for use on social networks. It is NOT part of the post; it is part of the sidebar that appears on the page at all times.

Within the post, I have written, “In addition, they wore armor that was virtually indistinguishable from the samurai yoroi (armor) of the day, except for the white cowls.” I did not assume readers would presume this meant you can’t wear a cowl over a helmet. As this is a blog and not a professional encyclopedia, I have to make some compromises for brevity. That’s the only area you can claim that is unclear. The image is outside the post area.

I did the best I could, but your arbitrary directive is, at present, misguided, so I cannot permit myself to blithely follow it. Thank you for your comment.