Japanese armour
Scholars agree that Japanese armour first appeared in the 4th century, with the discovery of the cuirass and basic helmets in graves. It is thought they originated from China via Korea. During the Heian period, the unique Japanese samurai armour ō-yoroi and dō-maru appeared. The Japanese cuirass evolved into the more familiar style of body armour worn by the samurai known as the dou or dō, with the use of leather straps, and lacquer for weatherproofing. Leather and/or iron scales were also used to construct samurai armours, with leather and eventually silk lace used to connect the individual scales of these cuirasses. In the 16th century, Japan began trading with Europe, during what would become known as the Nanban trade. This was the first time matchlock muskets were imported, and as they became mass-produced domestically, samurai needed lighter and more protective armour. As a result, a new style of armour called tosei-gusoku, which means modern armour, appeared. When a united Japan entered the peaceful Edo period, samurai continued to use both plate and lamellar armour as a symbol of their status.
Ōyamazumi Shrine is known as a treasure house of Japanese armour. It houses 40% of Japanese armour that has been designated as a National treasure and an Important Cultural Property. Kasuga Grand Shrine is also known as a treasure house of valuable armour.
History
Earliest Japanese armour is thought to have evolved from the armour used in ancient China. Cuirasses and helmets were manufactured in Japan as early as the 4th century CE. Tankō, worn by foot soldiers and keikō, worn by horsemen were both pre-samurai types of early Japanese cuirass constructed from iron plates connected together by leather thongs.During the Heian period, the unique Japanese samurai armour ō-yoroi and dō-maru appeared. Luxurious and heavily armed ō-yoroi were worn by senior mounted samurai, while the lighter dō-maru were worn by lower-class infantry samurai. The Japanese cuirass evolved into the more familiar style of armour worn by the samurai known as the dou or dō. Japanese armour makers started to use leather, and lacquer was used to weatherproof the armour parts. Leather and or iron scales were used to construct samurai armours, with leather and eventually silk lace used to connect the individual scales from which these cuirasses were now being made. The artistic decoration of ō-yoroi reached its peak around the time of the Genpei War at the end of the Heian period. At the end of the 14th century, towards the end of the Kamakura period, even senior samurai often used lightweight dō-maru.
In the 16th century, Japan began trading with Europe during what would become known as the Nanban trade. Matchlock muskets were first introduced to Japan by the Portuguese in 1543. The matchlock muskets were named "Tanegashima" after the first island they arrived on. Soon after, when Japanese swordsmiths began to mass-produce matchlock mukets in Japan, the war in Japan changed completely. The samurai needed armour that was lighter and more protective. In addition, large-scale battles required armor that could be mass-produced. As a result, a new style of armour called tosei-gusoku, which means modern armour, appeared. Gusoku evolved from the dō-maru lineage. Kozane has changed to itazane, which is made of relatively large iron plate or platy leather, and has improved its defenses. Itazane can also be said to replace a row of individual kozanes with a single steel plate or platy of leather. Since the armour is no longer flexible, gusoku has changed its method to make it easier to put on and take off by opening and closing the armour with a hinge. The simplified structure of the armour makes it easier to manufacture, allowing armor makers to focus on design and increasing the variety of armour looks. For example, the iron plate was designed to imitate the chest of an old man, and dō-maru style gusoku was made by attaching colored threads to the surface of the iron plate. The type of gusoku, like the plate armour, in which the front and back dou are made from a single iron plate with a raised center and a V-shaped bottom, was called Nanban dou gusoku. Bullet resistant armours were developed called ', allowing samurai to continue wearing their armour despite the use of firearms.
Samurai in this period, especially high ranking samurai such as daimyo, owned a lot of armor. For example, it has been confirmed that Tokugawa Ieyasu owned dozens of armor, and they are now owned by Kunōzan Tōshō-gū, Nikkō Tōshō-gū, Kishū Tōshō-gū, Tokugawa Art Museum, The Tokugawa Museum, Tokyo National Museum, etc.
The era of warfare called the Sengoku period ended around 1600, when a united Japan entered the peaceful Edo period. Although samurai continued to use both plate and lamellar armour as a symbol of their status, traditional armours were no longer necessary for battles. For this reason, in the Edo period, armour in the style of the revival of the medieval period, incorporating gorgeous ō-yoroi and dō-maru designs, became popular. During the Edo period lightweight, portable, and secret hidden armours became popular, since personal protection was still needed. Civil strife, duels, assassinations, and peasant revolts all required the use of armours such as the ' and armoured sleeves, as well as other types of armour which could be worn under ordinary clothing. Edo period samurai were in charge of internal security and would wear various types of kusari gusoku and shin and arm protection as well as forehead protectors.
Armour continued to be worn and used in Japan until the end of the samurai era in the 1860s, with the last use of samurai armour happening in 1877 during the Satsuma Rebellion.
Construction
Japanese armour was generally constructed from many small iron and/or leather scales and/or plates, connected to each other by rivets and macramé cords made from leather and/or braided silk, and/or chain armour. Noble families had silk cords made in specific patterns and colors of silk thread. Many of these cords were constructed of well over 100 strands of silk. Making these special silk cords could take many months of steady work, just to complete enough for one suit of armour. These armour plates were usually attached to a cloth or leather backing. Japanese armour was designed to be as lightweight as possible as the samurai had many tasks including riding a horse and archery in addition to swordsmanship. The armour was usually brightly lacquered to protect against the harsh Japanese climate. Chain armour was also used to construct individual armour pieces and full suits of kusari were even used.Individual armour parts
A full suit of traditional Samurai armour could include the following items:- ' or dō, a chest armour made up of iron and or leather plates of various sizes and shapes with pendents
- ' made from iron or leather plates hanging from the front and back of the dou to protect the lower body and upper leg.
- ', large rectangular shoulder protection made from iron and or leather plates.
- ', armoured glove like sleeves which extended to the shoulder or ' which covered the forearms. Kote were made from cloth covered with iron plates of various size and shape, connected by chain armour.
- Kabuto, a helmet made from iron or leather plates riveted together. A neck guard ' made from several layers of curved iron or leather strips was suspended from the bottom edge of the kabuto.
- Mengu, various types of lacquered metal and or leather facial armour designed in a way that the top heavy helmet kabuto could be tied and secured to them by various metal posts. Mengu had throat guards ' made from several rows of iron or leather plates or kusari sewn to a cloth backing, suspended from the bottom edge.
- ', thigh guards which tied around the waist and covered the thighs. These were made from cloth with small iron and or leather plates of various size and shape, usually connected to each other by chain armour and sewn to the cloth.
- , shin guards made from iron splints connected together by chain armour and sewn to cloth and tied around the calf.
Auxiliary armours
- ', a type of throat and neck protector.
- ', a type of throat and neck guard.
- ', the tate-eri is a small padded pillow like piece with a standing armored collar that sits on the shoulder to protect from the weight of the dou. The standing collar would be lined with kikko armour to protect the neck.
- ', the manju no wa, is a combination of shoulder pads, collar and armpit guards in one that protected the upper chest area. Manju no wa were covered with kusari, karuta, or kikko, these armours or a combination of them were sewn to a cloth backing. The armour could be exposed or hidden between a layer of cloth. When worn the manju no wa looked like a small tight fitting vest. Manju no wa have small wings that would pass under the arm pit area from the back and attach to the front of the manju no wa.
- ', the manchira is a type of armored vest covered with kusari, karuta or kikko, these armours or a combination of them were sewn to a cloth backing. The armour could be exposed or hidden between a layer of cloth. Manchira are larger than manju no wa and protected the chest area and sometimes the neck and arm pit. Some manchira could be worn over the dou.
- ', the wakibiki is a simple rectangle of cloth covered with kusari, karuta, or kikko these armorus or a combination of them were sewn to the cloth backing. Wakibiki could also be made from one solid piece of iron or hardened leather. The wakibiki had cords connected to them which allowed the wakibiki to hang from the shoulder, the wakibiki was then suspended over the exposed arm pit area. Wakibiki were either worn inside or outside the chest armour dou depending on the type.
- ', cloth hoods with various types of armour sewn to the cloth.
- ', armored tabi, a kind of sabaton that covered the top of the foot.
- Jingasa, resembling the civilian coolie hat, issued to Ashigaru retainers, these could be made from metal or leather.
- ', various types of light weight, portable, forehead protectors.
- ', jackets covered with various types of armour, the armour could be exposed or hidden between layers of cloth.
- , pants covered with various types of armour, the armour could be exposed or hidden between layers of cloth.
Clothing worn with Japanese armour
- ', a cloth sash or belt used for attaching various weapons and other items such as the katana, wakizashi and tantō.
- ', a simple loin cloth.
- ', tight gaiters made of cloth which covered the shins.
- Hakama, a type of pants worn underneath the armour, hakama could be long or short like the .
- ', a shirt worn underneath the armour.
- ', a cloth sock with divided toes.
- ', a woven sandal also known as zōri.
- ', short riding boots made from leather.
- ', gloves that were worn under the kote.
- ', also known as tsuranuki, short leather shoes trimmed with bear fur.
- ', sleeveless jacket worn over Japanese armour.
Auxiliary items worn with Japanese armour
- Sashimono, a small banner that is attached to the back of the dou by. Its purpose was to identify the wearer as friend or foe which was essential in the chaotic confusion of a pitched battle melee.
- Horo, a cloak reserved for prestigious, high-ranking samurai. It provides additional protection from arrows.
- ', a decorative tassel worn on the back of some dou and kabuto, the agemaki can also serve as an attachment point.
- ', small identification flags or badges worn on the back of the helmet or on the shoulder.
- , crests of various shapes and sizes worn on several areas of the helmet.
- Yebira, arrow quiver for ya.
Types
Pre-samurai armour
- Armours that were worn in Japan before the samurai class evolved.
- *Tanko
- *Keiko
Kozane armour
- Ō-yoroi, old style dou for mounted samurai, constructed with hon kozane.
- Dō-maru, old style dou constructed with, old style dou that opened in the back, constructed with hon kozane, later period haramaki dou were made with armour plates.
- .
Tosei-gusoku
- - , refers to the tub-like shape of the dou. There are two types of okegawa dou : yokohagi, and tatehagi.
- - chest armours with rows of prominent cross knots, usually an okegawa dou.
- - chest armours with a running stitch that goes horizontally across the surface of the dou. This stitch of lacing runs along the surface of the lame looking like a dotted line paralleling the top.
- - meaning "step-changing", a combination of two or more styles.
- - chest armour which is smooth and shows no signs of lames.
- - embossed to resemble the emaciated torso of a starving monk or old man.
- Katahada-nugi dou - embossed to resemble a half-naked torso.
- - five plate, four hinge chest armour in the sendai or yukinoshita style.
- - were inspired by European peascod breastplate armour. Hatomune dou have a sharp central ridge running vertically down the front.
- - Embossed or hammered out relief on the front.
- — Armour made on the base of late European armour
- - five-plate, four hinge chest armours with solid lames which are laced with sugake odoshi instead of being riveted.
Other types
- Tatami-gusoku — Folding portable armour made from karuta armour or kikko armour. Kusari gusoku is another form of tatami armour. ' and ' that folded were also tatami armour.
- — bullet tested armour
- — lending or borrowing armour or munition armour, usually made for ashigaru often marked with clan insignia.
- ', horse armour used in the Edo period for parades.
- Chain armour, armour made entirely of or the majority of the armour being made from kusari sewn to cloth.
- Kigote, a general term for several varieties of kote extended or completed by the addition of erisuwari, kara-ate and wakibiki. Examples of the kigote are the kote haramaki, ', .
- , armored jackets of various styles and sizes. Katabira were armored with kikko, hexagon armor plates, karuta, square or rectangular armor plates, or kusari, chain armor, or a combination of these armors.
Individual samurai armor parts