Samurai Armor Part 1

The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in the form of the yoroi during the Gempei War of 1181-1185. The weight of the yoroi was around 60lb. The upper-body armor of the samurai was known as the 'Do'. This comprised of the 'Sode', the suspended shoulder and upper-arm protection plates. The Sode had hoops by which silk cord was tied and then fixed to the back of the armor in an 'agemaki' / decorative knotted tassel. Guards were also placed over the shoulder cords, and a leather plate placed across the bow cords to prevent them from been cut or becoming ensnared during a skirmish.

A samurai's protective helmet, or Kabuto typically consisted of from eight to a dozen plates all fixed together with cone shaped bolts. Much like in the military of other cultures, a samurai's helmet would display the samurai's rank and his group or clan, and often be very elaborate and decorative looking. As many samurai had long hair, their ponytails would protrude through the tehen, a gap left in the centre of the helmets crown.

Shikoro is the name of the thick five-plated protector of the back of the head, neck and the cheekbone which was fastened to the bowl of the helmet. The top four plates of the Shikoro would be upturned to create the fukigaeshi. The idea of the fukigaeshi was to prevent the vertical slicing of the shikoro's horizontal fastening chords. A visor is also on the front of helmet and is known as the mabisashi. This would not only help to keep the sunlight out of the samurai's eyes, but its protrusion would also act as a degree of protection for the face from the extended and downward strike of the enemy's sword.

As part of the samurai attire, mainly for those of higher importance an eboshi, a silk cap-like headgear would be worn under the helmet. As the samurai during this early time of the Gempei War fought much on horseback and utilized bows and arrows, the right arm of the standard samurai soldier had no restricting protection to allow for the drawing back of the bow. A light protective sleeve was worn on the left arm.

Not all fighters during the Gempei War were of the samurai class, and therefore were equipped differently and wore a different style of lighter armor called the 'Do Maru'. A body Wrap style of armor resting on the shoulders and fastening under the right armpit was far less restricting than the yoroi. It was based on this freer design of armor that development would be made for the samurai's armor of the future.

For a continuation of and a more in depth look at samurai armor, visit our website at http://www.japanese-samurai-swords.net

---

How to Relax During a Fight

I received a returned video from a well meaning, but... Read More

Tae Kwon Do As A Means To Stay In Shape

Becoming a martial artist is a fanatastic method of fitness.... Read More

Regular or De-escalated

We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There... Read More

The Economics of Self Defense

The following is a recent email I received; I thought... Read More

How to Select Your Martial Arts and Self Defense Equipment

The most common place to buy martial arts or self... Read More

Is Aikido a Martial Art ?

Sensei Henry Ellis Co-Author of the new book Positive Aikido.-... Read More

Generating More Power from Hip Rotation - Lessons from Martial Arts

One of the important lessons of Martial Arts training is... Read More

Women in the Martial Arts

1st Lady Assistant to Sensei Henry Ellis Ellis Schools... Read More

Content, Are We?

I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much... Read More

Catholic Self Defense

Note: I wrote this essay regarding the development of Tekkenryu... Read More

COMBATIVES A Rose by Any Other Name?....Part 2

The advent of World War One (the war to END... Read More

Nuts & Bolts of Self Defense

Fundamental "Nuts & Bolts" training for close combat should be... Read More

5 Steps to Choosing the Right Martial Art for You

One of the questions I get asked most frequently, in... Read More

Bogu Training

About four years ago Carl recommended we start using the... Read More

Learning the Modern Dynamics of Judo

You may have the erroneous idea that force is not... Read More

Dermot Michael (Pat) ONeill

Dermot O'Neill was born in 1905 in County Cork, Ireland.... Read More

Martial Arts: Mind, Body and Spirit Presented Online

This Martial Arts website uses body, spirit and mind to... Read More

The Best Martial Art

It is a very difficult task to determine which martial... Read More

Martial Arts Sparring and Training Protective Equipment

The benefits of Martial Arts has always appealed its practitioners.... Read More

Basic Drills

We all have a good foundation in the basic blows... Read More

Do You Take Yours Trained or Untrained?

If you ain't pissing anyone off, you're not doing anything... Read More

Eight Simple Rules for Saving Your Life

Let's put the non-lethal fantasy to rest.1. Never trust your... Read More

COMBATIVES? ...... Don?t Tell Me. I Know What That Is! (Part 1)

"Combatives" from the root word COMBAT ? "to fight in... Read More

John Styers

Most people have only been exposed to John Styers work... Read More

Safety Awareness & Self Defense: Circle of Safety

Safety Awareness & Self Defense is the responsibility of each... Read More