Samurai were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the late 12th century until their abolition in the late 1870s during the Meiji era. They were the well-paid retainers of the daimyo, the great feudal landholders. They had high prestige and special privileges.
Plate armour is a historical type of personal body armour made from bronze, iron, or steel plates, culminating in the iconic suit of armour entirely encasing the wearer. Full plate steel armour developed in Europe during the Late Middle Ages, especially in the context of the Hundred Years' War, from the coat of plates worn over mail suits during the 14th century.
Kabuto is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors that, in later periods, became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan.
Outside of Japan, Shitagi refers to a type of shirt worn by the Samurai class of feudal Japan when they were wearing full armour. In the common and modern use of Japanese language, however, "shitagi" just means underwear.
Imperial Japanese Army uniforms tended to reflect the uniforms of those countries who were the principal advisors to the Imperial Japanese Army at the time.
A kasa is any one of several traditional Japanese hats. These include amigasa and jingasa.
Uwa-obi (上帯) a type of belt/sash that was worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. The uwa-obi was used to attach the sageo of the sword or swords worn by a samurai in order to secure it, other weapons and equipment would be tied to the uwa-obi as well. The uwa-obi was made from linen and cloth made of cotton, it would be wound two to three times around the body when worn. When the uwa-obi was worn with the attire or armour of the samurai, it would first be folded in two, then twisted and then a piece of leather was placed within the centre. This method was used to find the middle of the uwa-obi in a dark area. When putting on the uwa-obi, it was worn with the center in the front of the Dou (dō), then the two ends would be wound around the waist area and back to the front, the uwa-obi would be tied in front rather firmly with the hanamusubi knot.
Kyahan are cloth leggings which were worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. In Japanese, the word is also used for Western soldiers' gaiters.
Sangu is the term for the three armour components that protected the extremities of the samurai class of feudal Japan.
The kate-bukuro was a commonly-worn component of samurai attire during periods such as the Sengoku period (1467–1615) of Japan. A kate-bukuro was a provisions bag used by the samurai class and their retainers. For ordinary officers, these provisions bags were known as koshi-zuto. These types of bags were made of twisted paper strings within the style of fine basketwork, and measures around 1 shaku to 9 sun. These bags were then carried at the right side of the waist.
Auxiliary armour in a set of Japanese armour are optional pieces worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan in addition to the traditional six armour components.
Uchi-bukuro is a type of Japanese attire employed by the samurai class primarily around the Sengoku period of Japan. The Uchi-bukuro translated as a money purse that was usually carried at the waist or around the neck. These ways are known as being rather inconvenient, however. The best known way within feudal Japan to carry money is to paste old Japanese coins onto a folded strip of thick paper and put it between the collars of the under area of the armor.
Kubi bukuro (首袋) is a type of string bag used by the samurai class primarily during the Sengoku period of Japan. Kubi bukuro literally means 'neck bag'. This type of bag was made out of net to carry a severed enemy head. When walking, it is hung it from the waist. When the owner is riding a horse, the bag is fastened to the saddle. Samurai commanders carried many of these Kubi bukuro.
Metsubushi or gantsubushi are a variety of implements and techniques that were used in feudal Japan by samurai police and other individuals to temporarily or permanently blind or disorient an opponent.
Kabura-ya is a type of Japanese arrow used by the samurai class of feudal Japan. Kabura-ya were arrows which whistled when shot and were used in ritual archery exchanges before formal medieval battles.
The tekkan, also known as tetsu-ken or tettō, is a Japanese weapon that was used during the Edo period until the beginning of the 20th century. It was an iron truncheon; it could closely resemble a wakizashi-sized sword with a blunt iron blade, or it could be a cast-iron version of a kabutowari.
The tsukubō (突棒) was a pole weapon used by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan.
The sodegarami is a pole weapon that was used by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan.
Scholars agree that Japanese armour first appeared in the 4th century, with the discovery of the cuirass and basic helmets in graves. During the Heian period (794-1185), the unique Japanese samurai armour ō-yoroi and dō-maru appeared. The Japanese cuirass evolved into the more familiar style of body armour worn by the samurai known as the dou or dō, with the use of leather straps (nerigawa), and lacquer for weatherproofing. Leather and/or iron scales were also used to construct samurai armours, with leather and eventually silk lace used to connect the individual scales (kozane) of these cuirasses.
Koikuchi shirt (鯉口シャツ) is a type of Japanese silk shirt. The term koi-kuchi, carp mouth, refers to the shape of neck.
