The Japanese armor is divided into several parts:

- Kabuto: Essential for protection, the helmet always features a frontal ornament representing the wearer’s clan.

- Menpō: Face mask protecting the face, often adorned with a mustache to enhance the intimidating appearance of the samurai.

- Yodarekake: Protects the throat from sword strikes. Sode: Shoulder guards made of interlaced plates protecting the shoulders.

- Dō: The signature piece of the armor, protecting the torso from enemy arrows, often decorated with a Mon (family crest).

- Kote: Armored sleeves designed to protect the forearms.

- Tekkō: Protect the hands, often decorated with a Mon. Kusazuri: Composed of several hanging panels, it provides flexibility while protecting the hip area. Haidate: Protect the thighs under the skirt armor.

Suneate: Protect the legs and sometimes extend down to the feet.

At Katanas-Murasame, we carefully select the finest armors, faithfully reproduced by skilled craftsmen.

The Samurai Armor is fully functional and suitable for martial practice.

Japanese Armor "Yoroï"

The Samurai Armor: protection, symbol, and art of combat

Yoroï is a traditional Japanese armor worn by soldiers, mainly during battles involving swords, bows, and arrows.

This type of armor was used among others by samurais and daimyos.

Japanese armors are considered among the most colorful and beautiful in the world, symbolizing the central role Japanese warriors held in power during the Middle Ages and early modern times, especially during the Edo period when there were no wars. This reputation comes from the high value placed on armor, crafted using fully mastered techniques in various fields such as steel forging, leatherwork, lacquer craftsmanship, blacksmithing, and the intricate braiding of cords.

For better mobility, it was essential to build the armor using a wide variety of materials and to understand the structure of the helmet and torso, which are assembled by carefully linking each piece together.

In modern times, Yoroï represents not only an antique artifact but also showcases craftsmanship, artistry, and historical materials.

The origins of japanese armor

During the Heian period, between 794 and 1185, Japanese armor evolved into its most recognized form, the ō-yoroi or yoroï.

Waterproofed leather pieces coated with lacquer were used along with metal, silk, and various alloys such as shakudō (gold and copper) or shibuichi (silver and copper).

These armors were of the lamellar type, made of small metal or leather plates laced together. They typically weighed between 20 and 30 kg.

Because of their weight and bulkiness, which hindered infantry movement (but not cavalry), lighter and more mobile models like the dō-maru or haramaki were developed.

The dō-maru armor had an opening on the right side that was tied with cords.

Thanks to the use of steel, these armors weighed only 10 to 20 kg, unlike the emblematic heavy harnesses of about 20 kg.

The haramaki was tied at the back and only protected the torso.

Over time, high-ranking samurais began using these lighter cuirasses, which were less restrictive.

By the 16th century, trade with Europe enriched Japanese armor design, introducing, for example, the morion helmet.

With the arrival of firearms, armor construction was reinforced using plates made of iron and steel instead of lamellar segments.

During the Sengoku period (1467–1573), which was marked by constant wars, new breastplates made of wide, riveted plates replaced older designs, leading to lighter and more mobile outfits suitable for rapid movements.

These new models, called tōsei gusoku, generally weighed between 10 and 13 kg.

By comparison, King Henry VIII’s silver armor weighed around 30 kg.

During the Edo period, a time of relative peace, armor became mostly ceremonial, evolving into elaborate and decorative attire that displayed wealth and craftsmanship. This continued until the abolition of the samurai class in 1877.

Description of the Samurai armor

1. Cuirass : dō (胴)

2. Skirt: kusazuri (草摺)

3. Thigh guard: haidate (佩楯)

4. Knee guard: tateage (立挙)

5. Shin guard: suneate (臑当)

6. Foot armor: kōgake (甲懸)

7. Shoulder guard: sode (袖)

8. Sleeves: kote (籠手)

9. Gauntlet: tekkō (手甲)

10. Helmet: kabuto (兜)

11. Crest emblem: kasa-jirushi (腰巻)

12. Frontal plate: mabisashi (眉庇)

13. Side flap: fukikaeshi (吹返)

14. Neck guard: shikoro (しころ)

15. Horns: wakidate (脇立)

16. Helmet crest: maedate (前立)

17. Face mask: menpō ou mempō (面頬)

18. Side emblem: sode-jirushi (垂)

19. Throat guard: yodare-kake (襟廻