S M K I N I H O N G O

AUXILIARY JAPANESE ARMOURS OF JAPAN

Jumaat, 26 April 2013 • 5:35 PG • 0 comments

Auxiliary Japanese armours are optional armour items worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan in addition to the traditional six armour components.

Description

The six major articles or components of Japanese armour (hei-no-rokugu, rokugu, or rokugusoku) are the dou or dō (chest armour), kabuto (helmet), mengu (facial armour), kote (armoured sleeves), sune-ate (shin armour), and the hai-date (thigh armour). Additional armour protection was available for the neck, armpit, chest, waist and feet. These auxiliary armours covered areas of the body that were exposed by gaps in the regular armour items or were additional protection was required.

Wakibiki

Wakibiki are simple rectangles of cloth covered with kusari (chain armor), karuta (small rectangular or square plates), or kikko (hexagon plates), these iron or leather armors 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.[4] 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 worn inside the of the chest armourdou (dō) or on the outside depending on the type.

A pair of antique Japanese (samurai) tetsu (iron) wakibiki (armpit protectors)

A tetsu (iron) wakibiki installed on a honiyozanedou.

A pair of antique Japanese (samurai) Edo period kikkowakibiki.

Manju no wa

Manju no wa, ( alsomanjunowa or manjunowa ) are a combination of shoulder pads, collar and armpit guards in one that protected the upper chest area. Manju no wa were covered with different types of armour including kusari (chain armour), karuta (small square or rectangular armor plates), or kikko (hexagon plates), these iron or leather armors 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 with a button, toggle or ties.

An antique Japanese (samurai) manju no wa. This manju no wa is made with a lining of kusari (chain armor) hidden between an inner and outer layer of cloth.

Antique Japanese (samurai) manju no wa. Kusari (chain armour) and kikko (small hexagon armor plates) sewn to cloth.

Antique Japanese (samurai) manju-no-wa, made from chain armor kusari sewn to a cloth backing.

Manchira

Manchira are a type of armoured vest covered with different types of armour including kusari (chain armour), karuta (small square or rectangular armor plates), or kikko (hexagon plates), these iron or leather armors 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 usually larger than manju no wa and protected the chest area and sometimes the neck and arm pit. Some manchira could be worn over the chest armor dou (dō) .

Japanese (samurai) Edo period Japanese (samurai) kikko vest manchira.

Tate-eri

Tate-eri are small padded pillow like pieces with a standing armoured collar that sits on the shoulder to protect from the weight of the chest armor (dou or dō) The standing collar would be lined with kikko (hexagon plates) armor to protect the neck.

Tare-eri, installed on a dou (dō) (chest armour).

Kogake

Kogake are various types of armouredtabi foot coverings that could cover just the top of the foot or be worn as a shoe or slipper. Kogake could be covered with small iron plates or kusari (chain armour).

Nodowa and guruwa

Nodowa and guruwa are similar types of neck protection, the nodowa would be tied around the back of the neck and the guruwa wrapped completely around the neck.