Horo - The Archers Foe
One of the most interesting pieces of armor used by the feudal lords of old Japan to protect them from raining arrows of pursuing archers is the Horo. It is made of lightweight cloth presumably silk, worn by messengers of nobility and is strategically designed with large colorful emblems to make them stand out in the battlefield. With the patterns, it is very easy to spot a messenger when they arrive.
The name of this implement in English means arrow catcher or arrow entangler. Many people doubt that the Horo could actually stop a flying arrow dead on its tracks and save the life of the wearer. Since it is just made of cloth, a very thin one at that, it is hard to believe that it could stop a speeding projectile. Add to that the large and colorful designs that make the wearer a visible and easy target on the field.
I was watching an episode on the history channel regarding ancient warfare, tactics and weapons. On this episode, the topic was the Horo. Like many doubters, the researchers wanted to test the cloaks effectiveness in stopping a speeding dart on its flight. They modeled a cape basing on their studies and dressed it with large colorful emblems. They tied it to a dummy and blew a big fan against it simulating a messenger riding a galloping horse.
The next scenes were very interesting. Contrary to what others thought that the designs would make the wearer a very easy target for enemy archers, what they saw was just the opposite. When the wind blew against the cape, it danced and moved around, making it a very hard target. It was a confusing vision and looking at it you really wouldn't know where behind the Horo the dummy really is.
The next experiment was proving the cloak's ability to stop an arrow in flight. When they tried to shoot some arrows at the dummy, amazingly the projectiles were not able to touch the dummy. As it hits the cape, it looses speed and falls off or gets entangled in the Horo.
With the results they have gathered, the researchers wondered if warriors did really feel confident to entrust their life on a piece of cloth. They wanted to test it themselves and feel what it would be like to be pursued by enemy archers. They simulated a war scenario, with one of the researchers wearing the Horo and several professional archers pursuing him shooting real arrows. All of them were on horseback and the arrows were dulled to protect the horse. Amazingly the cape wearer came out of it unscathed.
When it was over, the rider said that he could actually hear the arrows hitting his cloak but he could feel them stop and just feel them fall. After all their research, they have concluded that the myth of the arrow catcher was no myth at all and if they were actual Japanese warriors, they would trust their life on the Horo.
Even though it has been proven that the Horo's ability is not a myth, it will just remain to be a reminder of Japan's rich history. Bows and arrows are no longer part of modern warfare. They are no longer considered nor used in modern battle so there is no need for an arrow catcher anymore. Although archery is not employed in battle, the art of shooting arrows is still far from dying.
In modern times, archery has become a sport with a huge following. Archery is a sport of skill and discipline and is among the favorite recreations of many people. People after all has a hunter in them and would always love to hit a target.
The name of this implement in English means arrow catcher or arrow entangler. Many people doubt that the Horo could actually stop a flying arrow dead on its tracks and save the life of the wearer. Since it is just made of cloth, a very thin one at that, it is hard to believe that it could stop a speeding projectile. Add to that the large and colorful designs that make the wearer a visible and easy target on the field.
I was watching an episode on the history channel regarding ancient warfare, tactics and weapons. On this episode, the topic was the Horo. Like many doubters, the researchers wanted to test the cloaks effectiveness in stopping a speeding dart on its flight. They modeled a cape basing on their studies and dressed it with large colorful emblems. They tied it to a dummy and blew a big fan against it simulating a messenger riding a galloping horse.
The next scenes were very interesting. Contrary to what others thought that the designs would make the wearer a very easy target for enemy archers, what they saw was just the opposite. When the wind blew against the cape, it danced and moved around, making it a very hard target. It was a confusing vision and looking at it you really wouldn't know where behind the Horo the dummy really is.
The next experiment was proving the cloak's ability to stop an arrow in flight. When they tried to shoot some arrows at the dummy, amazingly the projectiles were not able to touch the dummy. As it hits the cape, it looses speed and falls off or gets entangled in the Horo.
With the results they have gathered, the researchers wondered if warriors did really feel confident to entrust their life on a piece of cloth. They wanted to test it themselves and feel what it would be like to be pursued by enemy archers. They simulated a war scenario, with one of the researchers wearing the Horo and several professional archers pursuing him shooting real arrows. All of them were on horseback and the arrows were dulled to protect the horse. Amazingly the cape wearer came out of it unscathed.
When it was over, the rider said that he could actually hear the arrows hitting his cloak but he could feel them stop and just feel them fall. After all their research, they have concluded that the myth of the arrow catcher was no myth at all and if they were actual Japanese warriors, they would trust their life on the Horo.
Even though it has been proven that the Horo's ability is not a myth, it will just remain to be a reminder of Japan's rich history. Bows and arrows are no longer part of modern warfare. They are no longer considered nor used in modern battle so there is no need for an arrow catcher anymore. Although archery is not employed in battle, the art of shooting arrows is still far from dying.
In modern times, archery has become a sport with a huge following. Archery is a sport of skill and discipline and is among the favorite recreations of many people. People after all has a hunter in them and would always love to hit a target.
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