日本甲冑（鎧兜）：吉田不比等
指導教師：武田麻美
Japanese Armor (Yoroi Kabuto): Fuhito Yoshida
Mentor: Mami Takeda
The Rise of Japanese Armor(甲冑):
The first Japanese armor was developed between the 4th
and 6th centuries. As far back as the 7th century, Samurai
warriors began to wear “Lamellar armor,” which is a type
of body armor constructed from pieces of rectangular iron
plates, leather, and bronze plates.
Iron or leather plates were bounded together and laced
with leather and silk in order to increase it’s strength.
The Japanese armor was called “Yoroi.”
Different Materials:
Solid metal plates were preferred to be used instead of
leather plates in the beginning of the Warring States
Period. The metal armors were sufficient for defending
the swords and arrows.
Change of Design.
Samurai armor changed and developed as the samurai
warfare changed over the centuries. During the Tokugawa
Shougunate in Edo period, their artistic appearances of
the armors became more important, so they were
decorated with elaborate designs and colors. The design
of armor held significant meanings because it represented
the warrior’s rank and class.
Who wore it:
For the most part, Japanese armor was worn by the
highest military class; Samurai and Shogun. The lower
ranking soldiers had armors but they were made from few
components and less decoration in order for them to
move swiftly.
The End of Samurai Era and the Armors:
The Southwestern War in 1877 brought the end to
Samurai era. Throughout the country, there was a growing
dissatisfaction with the Japanese modernization. The
Satsuma rebellion was one of them, who took an action
against Meiji government, the new government of the era.
The modernization included abolition of the privileged
social status of the samurai class and loss of their financial
position, which totally changed the Japanese society.
As a result of the civil war, the last samurai rebellion was
defeated. The samurais are gone since then. The armor
from the Tokugawa shogunate is the last of the armor.