Samourai Armor

In the 12th century, Japan saw the rise of the samurai class. Highly skilled horse riders, using their bow with virtuosity, they’re fast and effective. Both their horses and large bow (the yumi) are regarded as weapons. They’re feared warriors who will evolve and improve their tactics and armors over the centuries.

The samurai’s armor is an important part of their equipment. Not only is it used to protect but also to frighten the opponents and to announce its owner’s status.

In 1274 and 1281, the Mongols attempted an invasion of Japan. The bows they were using has inspired the samurais who created an original weapon by increasing the bows size.

 Always seeking for improvement of their body and soul, the samurais conceived a whole philosophy of the use of the bow, which is called Kyudo (The Way of the Bow). The traditional archery test still takes place nowadays. To demonstrate his bravery, his self-control, the control of his horse, and his mastery of the bow, the archer must hit three successive targets with his arrows while riding a galloping horse.

The attempted invasion by the Mongols also had an impact on the shape and structure of armors. They evolved to become more flexible with an arrangement of metal strips, held together by bonds of leather and / or braided silk.

The Kamakura era (1185-1333) saw the apogee of the Oyoroi armor. As battles were especially carried out by archers on horses, the armors were large and imposing, and helmets were rounded and made of slats riveted together.

The Nanbokucho era (1333-1392) was dominated by the struggle of power of two imperial courts. Two types of armor were born in this confrontation: the Aramaki and Domaru. Both of them enveloped the trunk, but the first was closed in the back, while the second was closed on the right side. They were mainly made of leather bands and iron scales, independently enameled, from or to each other, and entirely braided.

The beginning of the Muromachi era (1392-1573) saw the unification of Japan, but unfortunately a civil war broke out, which lasted more than a hundred years (1467-1603).

In 1543, Portuguese sailors accosted the south of Japan, bringing along matchlock rifles. The Japanese gunsmiths produced a similar weapon called Teppo. It was then necessary to adapt the armors to these new weapons. The metal plates were done thicker and made integrally to withstand balls.

In the Momomaya period (1573-1603), the daimyo Hideyoshi twice tried to invade Korea. These invasions mobilized large numbers of troops and armors. Therefore, gunsmiths sought to simplify the manufacture of armors. The flakes were replaced by a single piece metal structure which was cut off to simulate its appearance. Thus they gained time and money. This period was reflected in the various armor shapes and the increasing height of the helmets (kabuto kawari).

In 1600, Ieyazu Tokugawa used firearms for the first time against Mitsunari Ishida’s forces at the famous battle of Sekigahara (also called ‘Tenka wakeme No kassen’, the battle which decided the future of Japan), this determining his victory. This marked a crucial turning point in Japan’s History, leading to its unification.

The Edo period (1603-1868), also called Tokugawa era, saw the reign of this dynasty until the opening of Japan to the West in 1868.

 With the fall of Osaka in 1615, the unification was complete and peace reigned until the end of the Edo period. Thus, the armor gradually became an exclusively ceremonial element. Its manufacturing became more sophisticated and of a great aesthetic refinement.

 The Seclusion of Japan in 1635, forced the armorers to build on old styles, thus bringing up to date the oyori and domaru armors.

At the same time, the system of alternating residence became mandatory, requiring daimyos to have a residence in Edo (now Tokyo) (see the article on the Tokaido Road), in addition to their usual residence.

Their departures and arrivals then leaded to large processions, allowing them to display their armor as an outward symbol of power and wealth.

The famous law of 1876 (Haitorei Edict), prohibiting from carrying weapons in public and thus depriving samurais of the use of their sword (katana), marked the end of this prestigious class.

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