Japanese Samurai were apex warriors, superlative fighters dedicated to their daimyo, or lord, and living according to the principles of bushido, an honour code that stressed selfless service, martial excellence, valour in battle and implacable determination. Often fighting on horseback and skilled archers, they developed a style of armour which, although changing over time, suited the dexterous combat techniques developed in Japan in the medieval and early modern eras.
Samurai Armour provides a vivid and informative guide to the many types of armour worn by Japanese warriors from the 10th to the 19th centuries. Learn about the classic o-Yoroi (‘great armour’), designed for its lightness and flexibility for firing a bow from horseback; understand the development of the haramake (“belly wrap”) armour, worn by the ashigaru men-at-arms – a new class of foot soldier that emerged during the Warring States period (1467–1615); explore the many types of classic Do-maru, a heavy box-like armour constructed from flexible small scales of leather or metal laced into plates with cord; and see the various armoured elements used by samurai, including highly decorative kabutos (helmets), haidate (thigh guards) which were tied around the waist, and elaborate ornamental mempo (face masks) designed to reflect the personality of the wearer and strike fear into his enemies.
With 180 photographs and illustrations covering every aspect of Japanese armour, Samurai Armour provides a compact, accessible guide to this complex, highly decorative protective clothing that still fascinates modern readers.
- Expert text provides a detailed history of samurai armour and its development
- Includes 160 superb illustrations and photographs
- Accessibly presented for the newcomers to the topic
With 160 photographs and illustrations covering every aspect of Japanese armour, Samurai Armour provides a compact, accessible guide to this complex, highly decorative protective clothing that still fascinates modern readers.
Muu info
Fully illustrated guide to samurai armour through the ages
Introduction:
The Samurai
1: Historical Context Samurai armour changed over time: in the Heian Period
(7941185), armour was designed to be light and flexible because samurai
fought on horseback. In the later Edo Period (16031867), armour was worn
more as an expression of culture and status.
2: The Evolution of Armour-making in Japan The development of armour design
is shaped by factors such as economics and availability of materials as well
as expediency and efficiency.
3: Armour Construction Japanese armour contained leather, iron, steel, wool,
cotton, and sometimes silk in its construction. Dou or d, a chest armour
made up of iron and or leather plates of various sizes and shapes with
pendants Kusazuri made from iron or leather plates hanging from the front
and back of the dou (d) to protect the lower body and upper leg. Sode,
large rectangular shoulder protection made from iron and or leather plates.
Kote, armoured glove like sleeves which extended to the shoulder or han kote
(kote gauntlets) which covered the forearms. Kabuto, a helmet made from
iron or leather plates (from three to over 100 plates) riveted together.
Mengu, various types of lacquered metal and or leather facial armour.
Haidate, thigh guards which tied around the waist and covered the thighs.
Suneate, shin guards made from iron splints connected together by chain
armour (kusari) and sewn to cloth and tied around the calf. Guruwa, throat
protector. Nodowa, a type of throat and neck guard. Tate-eri, the
tate-eri is a small padded pillow like piece Manchira, the manchira is a
type of armoured-vest Wakibiki, the wakibiki is a simple rectangle of cloth
covered with kusari (chain armour), karuta (small iron plates), or kikko
(brigandine) Yoroi zukin, cloth hoods with various types of armour sewn to
the cloth.
4: Ancient Samurai Armour (4th 9th centuries) Tanko The first iron
armour appeared in the 4th century and was called tanko. Keiko the
introduction of the keiko (or kake-yoroi), was connected with the importation
of horses from continental Asia around the end of the 4th century. Do-maru
retainers and servants usually wore simpler armour (do-maru), which
appeared approximately with the o-yoroi or earlier.
5: Classical Samurai Armour (10th 15th centuries) O-yoroi The o-yoroi
(or great armour) appeared in the beginning of the 10th century. Haraate
and Haramaki Beginning in the 15th century, the light infantry (ashigaru)
was equipped with a new type of armour called haraate (protection of the
abdomen). Kusari Japanese mail, appeared in the 14th century.
**6: Modern Samurai Armour (16th 19th centuries) ** Mogami-do gusoku The
earlier variants of the mogami-do gusoku, which appeared in the late
15th/early 16th centuries were considered to be transitional types of armour.
Maru-do gusoku The maru-do was a modern variant of the do-maru and
usually was the armour of high-ranking warriors. Ni-mai-do gusoku
Strictly speaking, the ni-mai-do was not a particular type of armour but was
a term for a group of armours of different construction. Okegawa-do gusoku
Around 1550 a new type of armour appeared, the okegawa- do or the armour of
riveted lamellae. tosei-gusoku in the beginning of the 16th century the
Classical armours were replaced by tosei-gusoku (Modern armours) of
lamellar construction. Namban-do gusoku The namban-do gusoku or armour
of the south barbarians was one of the results of contact with Europeans.
7: Famous Samurai of the Sengoku Period Takeda Shingen (152173) Oda
Nobunaga (153482) Tokugawa Ieyasu (15431616)
8: Heraldry Samurai in battle would wear a banner with their lords crest on
it, attached to the back of their armour.
Martin J. Dougherty is a former defence consultant, he has written numerous books on history and military history, including Vikings: A History of the Norse People, Medieval Warrior, Weapons and Fighting Techniques of the Medieval Warrior 10001500AD and books on personal self-defence. He lives in northern England.
