Page 146 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

144 JAPANESE ARMOR Supports for

WDER 1500–1680 Prior to the 16th century, Japanese armor was lamellar in ZUNARI
missing crests

construction—made from scales of rawhide or lacquered iron,
laced together with leather or silk braid. During the Japanese civil
wars of the 16th and 17th centuries, armor made of plate, which
was lighter and more effective, was devised. This development proved
fortuitous when guns were introduced from Europe in 1543. Although
the samurai owned their own distinctive armor, commanders issued
simple munitions, armor, and weapons to low-ranking troops.
AND GUNPO During the peaceful Edo period (1603–1868), samurai were still SODE
required to own armor, primarily as a symbol of status and rank.

i
Ak
odanar
Akodanari or
or
pumpkin-shaped helmet
pumpkin-shaped helmet
PIKES O-sode or large

shoulder guards

KUSAZURI
Lamellar
cuirass
without ▲ MOGAMI HARAMAKI This armor was given to King
hinges Date c.1570 Philip II of Spain, in 1585. It
opened down the back, with each
Origin Japan plate in the body divided into five
Material Steel, lacquer, silk sections and joined by individual
braid, textiles small hinges and sugake lacing.

Red lacquer used for
all Ii family armors

KOTE
DO MARU

SUNEATE
▲ DO MARU This formal armor, decorated with ▲ HINENO This hineno zunari kabuto, or Iron plates
the heraldry of Takeda Katsuyori ZUNARI KABUTO head-shaped helmet, was made joined by hinges
Date c.1610 and lacing
(1546–82), was given to King for a retainer of the Ii family. The
Origin Japan James I of England as a diplomatic Date c.1600 neck guard was made up of three
Material Iron, lacquer, gift. It is signed by the armorer Origin Japan sections so that a spear would
rawhide, silk braid Iwai Yosaemon of Nara. Material Iron, lacquer, silk braid exit through a gap rather than
be deflected onto the neck. SUNEATE