Hatiro Yamagami

Since ancient days there has never existed a country that did not have war. As all countries had battles, they used armour. Particularly in Japan, the military families long held adminsitrative power and the definite culture of warriors known as Busido firmly existed, armour that was a part of military equipment played an important role. Armour is of course defensive arm against offensive weapons. The history of armour, therefore, is qualified by the development of offensive weapons and war tactics. In progress, defensive and offensive arms are mutually related as the advance of one necessarily improved the other. Contents I. Brief History of Japanese Armour Ancient Period Nara and Heian Periods Kamakure Period Muromati Period Azuti-Momoyama Period Edo Period II. Chareacteristics of Japanese armokur Geographical Factors Historical Factors Racial Factors III. Construction of Japanese Armour Kozane Odosige Kanagumawari Kanamono Kawadokoro Odokoro Iezi Itadokoro Kusari IV. Armour-making and Armour-makers Appendices Guide for Tourists: Where Good Armour May Be Seen Glossary… (más)