Ashigaru

Footman of the Field

The ashigaru were the light-foot soldiers of feudal Japan, commoners conscripted in great numbers to wield spear, bow, and later the matchlock arquebus in the Sengoku clan wars. Once lowly skirmishers, they grew into disciplined massed formations that decided battles the samurai are remembered for winning. Drilled to fight as units rather than individual duelists, the ashigaru became the backbone of every warlord's army.