Teppotai

This artwork draws inspiration from two significant sources. Its first historical foundation is rooted in the transformative use of firearms on the battlefield during Japan’s Sengoku era. A pivotal in this period was the Battle of Nagashino, where Oda Nobunaga’s army decisively defeated the formidable Takeda clan. The renowned strength of the Takeda cavalry was undermined mainly by the strategic use of arquebuses wielded by ashigaru foot soldiers. This battle marked a turning point in military tactics following the birth of the ashigaru during the Onin War and underscored the growing importance of firearms in reshaping traditional warfare. The historical significance of this event was vividly illustrated in Kurosawa’s masterpiece Kagemusha, which dramatised the climactic moments of the conflict.

The second source of inspiration is Kurosawa’s legendary film Seven Samurai. In this movie, Toshiro Mifune portrayed Kikuchi

yo, a pseudo-samurai who embodied raw humanity and complexity. During the climactic battle scene, Mifune’s character is shown wearing minimal armour—a tatami-do chest piece and a happuri face protector—while appearing almost naked. This choice added a visceral realism to the character, emphasising his resilience and connection to ordinary people. Inspired by this blend of theatricality and historical authenticity, I aimed to create an artwork that pays homage to the dramatic storytelling of Kurosawa’s films and the historical context of Japan’s warring states period.

Our model is showcased in a minimalist yet striking russet iron okegawa-dō (tub-shaped cuirass) paired with traditional hachi-gane protective headgear. The armour sleeves proudly display the iconic family crest of the Oda clan, reflecting their storied heritage. Completing the ensemble, she wields a standard teppo matchlock issued to foot soldiers.