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). 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 where 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. 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. File:Wakibiki 4.JPG|A pair of antique Japanese (samurai)
tetsu (iron)
wakibiki (armpit protectors). File:Tetsu wakibiki.JPG|A
tetsu (iron)
wakibiki installed on a
hon iyozane dou. File:Kikko wakibiki 3.JPG|A
kikko wakibiki installed on a
hon iyozane dou. File:Kikko wakibiki.JPG|A pair of antique Japanese (samurai) Edo period
kikko wakibiki.
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. File:Samurai wearing a manju no wa.jpg|An Edo period print of a samurai putting on a
manju no wa. File:Manju no wa 3.JPG|An antique Japanese (samurai)
manju no wa. This
manju no wa is made with a lining of
kusari (chain armour) hidden between an inner and outer layer of cloth. File:Manju no wa.JPG|Antique Japanese (samurai) manju no wa. Kusari (chain armour) and
kikko (small hexagon armour plates) sewn to cloth. File:Kusari manchira 1.JPG|Antique Japanese (samurai) manju-no-wa, made from chain armour
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 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) . File:Kikko manchira.JPG|Japanese (samurai) Edo period kikko manchira. an armoured vest "manchira" with small hexagon iron plates "kikko" hidden between layers of cloth. File:Kikko vest.JPG|Japanese (samurai) Edo period Japanese (samurai) kikko vest
manchira. File:Chain mail vest.JPG|Antique Edo period Japanese (samurai) samurai chain mail vest or manchira. This was worn under traditional armour or clothing as hidden protection. File:Kikko katabira.JPG|Antique Japanese (samurai) Edo period
kikko manchira or a vest made with hexagon armour plates
kikko.
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. File:Tate-eri 3.JPG|Tare-eri, installed on a breastplate. File:Tate-eri.JPG|Tare-eri. File:Tate-eri 1.JPG|Tate-eri. File:Tate-eri 2.JPG|Tare-eri, reverse view.
Kōgake Kōgake are various types of armoured
socks that could cover just the top of the foot or be worn as a shoe or slipper. Kōgake could be covered with small iron plates or chainmail. File:Kôgake armored tabi.JPG File:Kusari tabi.JPG File:Kôgake 5.JPG File:Kôgake 1.JPG
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. File:Guruwa, throat and neck protector.JPG File:Guruwa, throat and neck protector 1.JPG File:Nodowa 1.JPG File:Kusari nodowa.JPG ==See also==