Auxiliary armours of Japan

Edo period print of a samurai putting on a wakibiki.

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, roku gu, or roku gusoku) 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).[1][2][3] 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 armours 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 of the chest armour dou (dō) or on the outside depending on the type.[5][6]

Manju no wa

Manju no wa, ( also manjunowa or manju nowa ) 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 armour plates), or kikko (hexagon plates), these iron or leather 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 with a button, toggle or ties.[7][8][9]

Manchira

Manchira are a type of armoured vest covered with different types of armour including kusari (chain armour), karuta (small square or rectangular armour plates), or kikko (hexagon plates), these iron or leather 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 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 armour dou (dō) .[10][11]

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 breastplate or cuirass (dō). The standing collar would be lined with kikko (hexagon plates) armour to protect the neck.[12]

Kogake

Kogake are various types of armoured socks 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 chainmail.

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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ The encyclopedia of the sword, Author Nick Evangelista, Publisher Greenwood Publishing Group, 1995, ISBN 0-313-27896-2, ISBN 978-0-313-27896-9 page 27
  2. ↑ The manufacture of armour and helmets in sixteenth century Japan: (Chūkokatchū seisakuben)Author Kōzan Sakakibara, Publisher C. E. Tuttle, 1964
  3. ↑ Secrets of the samurai: a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan, Authors Oscar Ratti, Adele Westbrook, Publisher Tuttle Publishing, 1991, ISBN 0-8048-1684-0, ISBN 978-0-8048-1684-7 page 192
  4. ↑ Anthony J. Bryant, Angus McBride (1994). Samurai 1550-1600. Osprey Publishing. p. 57.
  5. ↑ Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, Asiatic Society of Japan - 1881, page 227
  6. ↑ Samurai 1550-1600, Anthony J. Bryant, Angus McBride, Osprey Publishing, 1994 page 57]
  7. ↑ A glossary of the construction, decoration, and use of arms and armour in all countries and in all times: together with some closely related subjects George Cameron Stone page 436
  8. ↑ Secrets of the samurai: a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan - page 201 Oscar Ratti, Adele Westbrook - 1991
  9. ↑ Arms and armour of the samurai: the history of weaponry in ancient Japan, Ian Bottomley, Anthony Hopson, Crescent Books, 1993 page 121
  10. ↑ Arms and Armor of the Samurai Ian Bottomley, Anthony Hopson, 1993, page 143
  11. ↑ H. Russell Robinson (1967). Oriental armour. p. 228.
  12. ↑ Japanese arms & armor, Crown Publishers, 1969 page 33

External links

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