Samurai Armor: 6 Essential Parts & Uses

by James Krick | CRAFT

© Tokyo Nation Museum, Do Maru Kabuto, 19th Century

For many centuries, samurai warriors battled for land and power across the islands of Japan, on behalf of daimyo, shogun or emperor. Over this time, samurai warriors developed a culture and a way of life whose teachings can still be seen today in modern Japan.

However, internationally the image of the samurai is not viewed as much through the teachings of the bushido code (way of the warrior) but is symbolised, perhaps more than any other warriors in history, by the armoor that they wore. The samurai’s suit of armour is so intricately and uniquely crafted that they are able to tell the story of these warriors in minute detail, making these antique pieces a true insight into Japan’s turbulent history.

What was a samurai’s armor made of, and how was it worn? We take a look at the finely forged and beautifully crafted pieces that made up this iconic suit.

What is Samurai Armor?

Japanese Samura Armor, 18th Century, Met Museum

The samurai suit of armor has many different variations and additions. The pieces that made up a samurai’s protection in battle are each intricate and specifically crafted as much for the symbolism and image they project as for the protection they could provide in battle.

In this respect, a samurai’s armor, from head to foot, would be unique to that warrior and would, in many ways, tell his story as well as the clan that he was fighting for.

The traditional suits of armor consists of the kabuto (helmet), the dou (main armor for the torso), the kusazari (armor for the legs), the kote and kogake for the arms and finally, perhaps the most iconic piece of all, the katana sword. Over the centuries of civil war and conflict that engulfed Japan, samurai from different clans would modify and change their armor. This included the addition of certain pieces such as the menpo (chin strap).

1. Samurai Helmet

Japanese Samurai Helmet, 18th Century, Met Museum

Perhaps the most distinctive and recognizable piece of the samurai’s armor is the helmet or kabuto. The unique design of the Japanese warrior’s helmet makes him instantly recognizable as a samurai and is symbolic of the intricate skill and craftsmanship that went into designing each suit of armor.

In earlier Japanese history these helmets were typically made from leather; later they evolved to iron with leather padding and even iron scales in order to deflect piercing by arrows or katana. A samurai’s helmet would also often bear a crest on top to show his allegiance, and which lord he was fighting for.

As in other cultures, the kabuto helmet was an incredibly important part of the samurai armor, both in physical and spiritual terms. There is in fact an old Japanese saying ‘Katte kabuto no o wo shimeyo’ which means to ‘tighten the strings of your kabuto in victory’ (roughly equivalent to the English ‘do not rest on your laurels’). Equally the symbolic act of taking off a kabuto meant to surrender.

Kabuto helmets would often have a menpo addition which was a chin guard that could be attached by two hooks on the side of the kabuto helmet. The menpo chin guards were initially little more than chin straps but, as the design of samurai armor became ever more sophisticated, the menpo began to have designs of their own including the designs that covered the whole mouth and were carved into particularly fearsome facial designs.

2. Samurai Body Armor

The torso armor was one of the largest items that a samurai would wear. The breastplate differed from its European counterparts in that it was principally designed for mobility, and to protect the samurai’s torso in battle whilst not hindering his movement. Whilst the knights of Europe favoured thicker and heavier metal plates to protect them, the samurai dou or chest plate was often made up (as with the kabuto helmet) of leather, and later iron scales or plates. The scaling effect again gave the armor durability whilst creating a toughness that provided protection from piercing blows.

The dou was also often given a lacquer finish in order to make it weather-proof and not to cause any damage or weakening when exposed to the elements.

3. Samurai Leg Armor

The kusazari is another piece of armor that was unique to Japanese warriors. These folds of chain mail armor to protect the thighs and upper legs give the appearance of a skirt that was worn underneath the dou. This aspect of a samurai’s battle gear was, however, an ingenious way of keeping a cavalry rider's legs safe from blows whilst riding his horse into battle.

4. Samurai Arm Armor

Samurai Arm Protection, 18th Century, Met Museum

A samurai’s feet and hands were given their own individual guards that were specially designed and crafted for the purpose. The main function being to give the samurai the ability to be light on his feet whilst still having them shielded against injury and for his hands, the ability to wield his katana to devastating effect whilst still still having the means to protect himself from another warrior’s counter-attack.

The kote arm guards were cylindrical tubes of cloth that were then reinforced with chain mail and armor plates to give additional strength. These would then give protection to the samurai from above his elbow to his finger. Initially during the Kamakura period, the samurai would use this armor to cover only one of their arms in order to allow them to fire arrows from their bows effectively. This changed however as the katana gradually became the samurai’s weapon of choice.

5. Samurai Arrowheads

Ceremonial Arrowhead, 17th Century, Met Museum

Although the traditional image of a samurai is of a warrior armed with a sword, archery also played a key role in the competing amies throughout Japan’s history. The art of kyudo became one of the key principles for samurai of instilling concentration and discipline. The Yabusame were mounted samurai archers who often played decisive roles in the tactics of military commanders and, although the arrival of firearms led to a decline in the efficacy of archers on the battlefield, the samurai tradition of archery is still celebrated to this day with performances during the annual Aoi Matsuri.

6. Samurai Katana

The final part of a samurai’s armor is perhaps the most important of all. The katana is seen not only as a symbol of the samurai warrior but a symbol of Japan as a whole. The official use of the Japanese sword by soldiers began in the Kamakura era (1185-1333) and steadily grew in popularity as a weapon of war (although there is documented use of swords from much earlier in Japanese history).

By the end of the Kamakura era, an entire industry had developed around the creation of the katana. Rival swordsmiths would vye for the reputation of creating the greatest swords and many of these creations would grow steadily in quality and design.

The katana was deemed such an important weapon of war that an entire fighting system (kendo) was designed to train samurai in its use. The 15th century saw the start of the katana’s mass production. Many of the footsoldiers of the different armies would be equipped with katanas that were low quality and simple in design.

However, the invention of steel led to a further development in the sword’s popularity. Increasingly the samurai nobility sought to have their katanas tailor made and this led to some of the most intricate and unique designs whereby even today an antique katana can often been traced back to the samurai that it belonged to and which battles he fought in.

Peony and Butterfly Tsuba, 18th Century, Met Museum

For many, the katana means the samurai’s sword as a whole, however the katana in fact refers only to the blade itself. The full sword is the katana with the hand guard known as a tsuba. The tsuba itself was often one of the most delicately created and decorated pieces on the sword with many with different designs and patterns. Some of the most elaborate tsubas were even carved into the shape of animals such as dragons.

For many countries, the weapons and armor used by their warriors throughout history are proud relics of the country’s past. However, there is no other country where the image of a suit of armor conjures up such an immediate image of a nation as the samurai armor does for Japan. In all its intricacies, attention to detail and working parts the samurai armor truly tells the story of a nation like no other.