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Zaimokuza reconsidered: The forensic evidence, and classical Japanese swordsmanship

2004; Routledge; Volume: 36; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/0043824042000303683

1470-1375

Antony Karasulas,

Forensic and Genetic Research

In July 1333, at the battle for Kamakura, the Hojo Regency fell. Many of the fallen from the battle were buried at Zaimokuza, near Kamakura. Myra Shackley made a forensic investigation of some of the Zaimokuza remains, writing her conclusions in an article printed in World Archaeology (Shackley 1986). Shackley concluded that the human remains were all of high-class samurai warriors, that those discussed had died from head wounds inflicted with refined precision using the Japanese sword and that the evidence suggested extremely high battlefield ethics. My own analysis of the remains suggested something quite different - that the fallen were in fact low-class, un-armoured foot soldiers killed by pole arms, wielded by mounted knights. No evidence was found to support the notion either of exceptional sword skill or of remarkable battlefield ethics. Shackley made errors in her use of inter-disciplinary material, and this article highlights the necessity of using such resources with care.