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弩兵 (どへい, dohei) Japanese meaning: crossbowman | Kotomora

弩ど兵へい

Meanings

1

crossbowman; arbalist

historical term

Historical term for a soldier armed with a crossbow, used in pre-modern military contexts.

弩ど兵へいは城じょう壁へきの上うえから敵てきを狙ねらった。
The crossbowmen aimed at the enemy from atop the castle walls.

Kanji

弩bow (arrow)
兵soldier, private, troops

Related words

弓きゅう兵へい
弓兵 refers to an archer using a bow, while 弩兵 specifically uses a crossbow.

Etymology

Compound of 弩 (crossbow) and 兵 (soldier). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term follows standard Sino-Japanese military naming patterns.