Suit of armour

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Samurai armour is made of lacquered iron plates to allow freedom of movement whilst fighting. An armoured skirt protected the thighs. The head was covered with a large helmet.

The armoured skirt, the kusazuri, is made of seven pieces. There are three at the front and four around the back. The shoulder guard is made of alternate ribs of lacquered plates and decorated leather. Some of these plates are made of iron.

Samurai were professional warriors. Their leaders ruled Japan from 1185 until 1868.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-300-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1905.184 F
• Date: 19th century
  Early 19th century
  Early 19th century
  Early 19th century
  Early 19th century
  Early 19th century
  Early 19th century
  Early 19th century
  
• Material: Suit of armour / arm piece
  Suit of armour / cuirass
  Suit of armour / facemask
  Suit of armour / helmet / curtain, neck
  Suit of armour / leg piece
  Suit of armour / shoulder piece
  Suit of armour / thigh piece
  
• Dimensions: 66.00" H (whole suit)
  66.00" H (whole suit)
  66.00" H (whole suit)
  66.00" H (whole suit)
  66.00" H (whole suit)
  66.00" H (whole suit)
  66.00" H (whole suit)
  
• What: Suit of armour / arm piece
  Suit of armour / cuirass
  Suit of armour / facemask
  Suit of armour / helmet / curtain, neck
  Suit of armour / leg piece
  Suit of armour / shoulder piece
  Suit of armour / thigh piece
  
• Subject: Weapons / armour
  Weapons / armour
  Weapons / armour
  Weapons / armour
  Weapons / armour
  Weapons / armour
  Weapons / armour
  
• Who:
• Where: Japan
  Japan
  Japan
  Japan
  Japan
  Japan
  Japan
  
• Event:
• Description: Helmet and neck-curtain from a suit of armour, of lacquered metal and papier-mache, with a gilt horned demon mask, pink silk tassels, and the owner's or maker's name: Japan, early 19th century
  Face-mask from a suit of armour, of black lacquered metal and papier-mache: Japan, early 19th century
  Cuirass from a suit of armour, of black lacquered metal and papier-mache, with a gold lacquered crest on skirt: Japan, early 19th century
  Two shoulder pieces from a suit of armour, of black lacquered metal and papier-mache: Japan, early 19th century
  Two arm pieces from a suit of armour, of figured blue silk and applied linked chain-mail and lacquered plates: Japan, early 19th century
  Two thigh pieces from a suit of armour, of figured blue silk and applied linked chain-mail and lacquered plates: Japan, early 19th century
  Two leg pieces from a suit of armour, of figured blue silk and applied linked chain-mail and lacquered plates: Japan, early 19th century
  
• References:
• Translations:
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