made in Japan

Suit of armour

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:	0098: 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:
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
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