Hey reddit, casual history fan just looking for some clarity as to what a typical Japanese army during the Sengoku period. Like what percentage of the troops would have been considered Samurai? How would those Samurai have been equipped/would they have fought primarily on horseback, or did they have foot contingents in significant numbers? How much of the army was made of levied troops, what kind of training and equipment did they have, was there a professional fighting force of Japanese during this period that weren't considered Samurai, much like "men at arms" in medieval Europe? How common were unconventional units, like warrior monks/nuns or "ninjas," and how impactful and prevalent were matchlock armed units?
I'm kinda just spitballing at this point, but Japanese history is fascinating, yet also one of my weaker areas of historical expertise, so I'd love to learn more! Thanks in advance
I'm no expert on war in Japan, rather art. But a good starting point would be to think of the makeup of japanese society in this period. It was a highly stratified feudal society. That means that each powerful local daimyo would have many retainers he handed land to, these retainers have vassals of their own and so forth. Much like in Europe where the motto was consilium et auxilium, advice and help, the vassals owe allegiance to their Lord when he asks for it. When a daimyo would call on his retainers for military assistance they would assemble in strengths that reflect the amount of land they received from the daimyo.
So the daimyo himself would have several dozens of well equipped samurai close by, since he's also wealthy many would have horses. These would be accompanied by local peasants that carry spears and bows as foot soldiers, as well as servants and caretakers. Then each vassal would show up with his own small troop, reflecting his wealth and status. So the bigger the wealth the more fully equipped samurai he would bring, along with auxiliary peasant troops and caretakers. This cascade would go on until even the last retainer showed up.
Generally, samurai would fight on foot but also mounted. The less well equipped "foot" soldiers carried lances and bows, but occasionally also an arquebus after 1543. The simple foot soldiers would outnumber the samurai and also the mounted units.