The bow and arrows were the chief weapons for siege and long-range operations. A Japanese bow has a peculiar shape. It was made of well-selected oak (“kashi”), incased on both sides with a semi-cylinder of split bamboo toughened by fire. The three pieces composing the bow were then bound firmly into one piece by thin withes of rattan, making an excellent combination of lightness, strength, and elasticity. The string was of hemp. Arrows were of various kinds and lengths, according to the arms of the arches. The average length of the war-arrow was three feet.
The “turnip-head,” “frog-crotch,” “willow-leaf,” “armor-piercer,” “bowel-raker,” were a few of the various names for arrows. The “turnip-top,” so named from its shape, made a singing noise as it flew. The “frog-crotch,” shaped like a pitchfork, or the hind legs of a leaping frog, with edged blades, was used to cut down flags or helmet lacings. The “willow-leaf” was a two-edged, unbarbed head, shaped like the leaf of a willow. The “bowel-raker” was of a frightful shape, well worthy of the name; and the victim whose diaphragm it penetrated was not likely to stir about afterward. The “armor-piercer” was a plain bolt-head, with nearly blunt point, well calculated to punch through a breastplate.
Barbs of steel were of various shape; sometimes very heavy, and often handsomely open-worked. The shaft was of cane bamboo, with string-piece of bone or horn, whipped on with silk. Quivers were of leather, water-proof paper, or thin lacquered wood, and often splendidly adorned. Gold-inlaid weapons were common among the rich soldiers, and the outfit of an officer often cost many hundreds of dollars.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
