9 Sensors Whether day or night, scouts for a far-distance observation should be sent out.
Even if a shinobi does not have impressive physical abilities, remember that the most vital thing is to have acute observation.
—Yoshimori Hyakushu #11
In addition to stationing guards at gates and soldiers at watch posts, Bansenshūkai recommends defending a castle by placing scouts surreptitiously along roads, paths, and other approaches. The defending commander should place scouts at staggered intervals around the castle’s perimeter.1 These scouts fulfilled one of three roles:
- Smelling scouts (kagi)
- Listening scouts (monogiki)
- Outside foot scouts (togiki)
Smelling and listening scouts, who used trained dogs and dog handlers, placed themselves in ...
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