Samurai Armor Uses
The samurai were feudal Japan's warrior elite similar to knights of medieval Europe. For about 700 years, from the 12th to the late 19th centuries, they dominated Japanese society as aristocrats, intellectuals and, of course, soldiers. Although they famously didn't fear death, they still protected their bodies with distinctive armor.
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Head Protection
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A samurai protected his head with a bowl-shaped helmet called a "kabuto." It featured a flexible neck guard called a "shikoro" and was held in place with cords. It was often decorated with horns or antlers and accessorized with a war mask called a "hoate." The mask could cover all or part of the face. It helped secure the helmet, protected the face and throat and gave the samurai a more fearsome appearance. When he wasn't wearing a mask, a samurai protected his throat with a metal ring called a "nodowa" or standing metal collar called an "eriwa."
Torso Protection
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A samurai protected his torso with a "do." Samurai armor was generally made from small steel plates laced together with leather straps or silk cords rather than large steel plates like European armor. This made it more flexible than its European equivalent but sacrificed some protection. Samurai, like European knights, were highly individualistic and wore armor that reflected personal tastes Getting noticed on the battlefield was an important step in getting promoted. Armor was decorated with lacquer, heraldic emblems, fancy rivets and unusual patterns.
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Hip Protection
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A samurai protected his hips and upper thighs with skirt-like "kusazuri," that hung from the "do." Armorers created the "kusazuri" from metal plates laced together. According to historian Anthony J. Bryant, although the "kusazuri" typically matched the "do" perfectly, they were sometimes made in different colors, with different styles of plates, metal scales instead of plates or a different style of lacing. Some armor featured removable "kusazuri," which were easier to pack for travel. They could also be removed whenever the army forded a river or stream, though many samurai simply tied them up with a cord.
Leg Protection
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A samurai protected his thighs with "haidate" made from overlapping metal plates or chain mail. They were typically held to the thigh with buttoning leather straps; cords tied to a waist strap kept them from sliding off. Some samurai held them in place with cord that passed around the neck like suspenders. Many samurai found them uncomfortable and didn't wear them, preferring freedom of movement. A samurai protected his shins with shinguards called "suneate" made of vertical metal plates linked together with hinges or chain mail and held in place with cords.
Arm and Shoulder Protection
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A samurai protected his shoulders and upper arms with "sode." Armorers created "sode" from uniform metal plates laced together. Bryant believes they were part of matched set with the "kusazuri." In the late sixteenth century, "sode" were generally eliminated in favor of winglike shoulder guards. A samurai protected his lower arms with armored sleeves called "kote," which consisted of metal plates and chain mail stitched to several layers of cloth. The "sode" featured metal gloves similar to a knight's gauntlets and protected the back of the hand and the thumb.
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References
- Photo Credit Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images News/Getty Images
