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 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 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 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.[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 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) .[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 chest armor (dou or dō) The standing collar would be lined with kikko (hexagon plates) armor to protect the neck.[12]
Kogake[]
Kogake are various types of armoured tabi 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.
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ The encyclopedia of the sword, Author Nick Evangelista, Publisher Greenwood Publishing Group, 1995, ISBN 0-313-27896-2, ISBN 978-0-313-27896-9P.27
- ↑ The manufacture of armour and helmets in sixteenth century Japan: (Chūkokatchū seisakuben)Author Kōzan Sakakibara, Publisher C. E. Tuttle, 1964
- ↑ 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 P.192
- ↑ Samurai 1550-1600, Anthony J. Bryant, Angus McBride, Osprey Publishing, 1994 p.57
- ↑ Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, Asiatic Society of Japan - 1881, P.227
- ↑ Samurai 1550-1600, Anthony J. Bryant, Angus McBride, Osprey Publishing, 1994 p.57
- ↑ A glossary of the construction, decoration, and use of arms and armor in all countries and in all times: together with some closely related subjects. George Cameron Stone p.436
- ↑ Secrets of the samurai: a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan - Page 201 Oscar Ratti, Adele Westbrook - 1991
- ↑ Arms and armor of the samurai: the history of weaponry in ancient Japan, Ian Bottomley, Anthony Hopson, Crescent Books, 1993 P.121
- ↑ Arms and Armor of the Samurai Ian Bottomley, Anthony Hopson, 1993, p.143
- ↑ Oriental armour H. Russell Robinson - 1967 p.228
- ↑ Japanese arms & armor, Crown Publishers, 1969 P.33
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Samurai armour. |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Japanese auxiliary armours. |
- Examination and restoration of an antique Japanese manchira
- Anthony Bryants web site.
- Pattern from Anthony Bryants web site.
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The original article can be found at Auxiliary armours of Japan and the edit history here.