Ieyasu’s Field Orders: Military Discipline in Samurai Armies

In 1591, for this Odawara campaign, Ieyasu issued a series of orders that provide insight into the activities of marching samurai armies. The translation is from A. L. Sadler’s biography of Ieyasu:

1. If anyone advances and reconnoitres without orders he shall be pnuished.

2. Anyone who presses on too far forward, even though to make a name for himself, is a transgressor against military law and will be punished with all his family.

3. Anyone who is found trespassing in another company without proper reason shall be deprived of his horse and arms. And if his master objects he shall be held extremely culpable. And when anyone has to pass through on some duty way shall be made for him and he shall go straight through without loitering.

4. When troops are on the march none shall go by byways. This fashion must be strictly impressed on them. If any move in a disorderly fashion their leader will be held culpable.

5. Anyone who disobeys the orders of the Bugyo will be punished.

6. When troops are on the march, all flags, guns, bows, and spears are to be carried according to fixed order, and they are to march at the command of the Bugyo. Any disorder will be punished.

7. Except when in the ranks it is forbidden to go about carrying long spears. One spear not of this type may be carried before the commander when on horseback.

8. Anyone letting a horse stray loose in the camp will be punished.

9. As to the baggage train, strict orders are to be given that they are to be allotted a proper place so that they do not get mixed with the troops. Any who do will be put to death on the spot.

10. Without orders no one may seize any man or woman and take them. Should anyone take and conceal any such person his master shall correct the matter, and if any case shall come to light of his neglecting to do so that leader’s fief shall be confiscated. And the vanguard shall not, without orders, set fire to any house in enemy territory.

11. Violence and intimidation of tradespeople is strictly forbidden. Offenders will be put to death on the spot.

12. Anyone who strikes camp without orders will be punished.

May all the Gods of Japan both great and small pay attention! May they blast without pity any who transgress the above orders!

So be it.

Tensho 18.2.(1591)

IEYASU.