Samurai Armour Volume I: The Japanese Cuirass

by Absolon, Trevor

• ISBN13: 9781472807960
• ISBN10: 1472807960
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2017-02-21
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

For beauty, precision and strength, nothing has ever matched the combination of form and function found in the armour of the samurai. For a samurai, the consummate warrior, his suit of armour was so much more than 'just' protective equipment that could save his life in the heat of battle--it was the embodiment of his personality, social status and very soul.

This volume, the first in a two-part series on the armour of the samurai, traces first the history of the samurai themselves and then examines the history and evolution of the cuirass or dou, the armour protecting the samurai's chest. Drawing on over 20 years of research and technical work by Trevor Absolon, a leading expert, this is a complete study of this fundamental aspect of samurai armour construction. Stunningly illustrated throughout, this is more than just a detailed technical exploration, it is a meditation on a process that was, and still is, nothing short of an art form.

Author Biography

Trevor Absolon earned an officer's commission in the Canadian Forces before moving to Japan to pursue his interest in Japanese history. He became a member of the Soma Noma-oi--“Wild Horse Chase,” the oldest Japanese samurai equestrian event--and is the only non-Japanese national to hold a formal rank and title. He runs an antique business specializing in authentic samurai armour and published three acclaimed books on the subject. Trevor also coproduced a documentary film about the Soma Noma-oi.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Dou – Cuirass: the foundation of Japanese armour
3. Ancient armour: Tanko and Keiko, 3rd–9th centuries
4. Early forms of Samurai armour: O-yoroi, Dou-maru, Maru-dou, Hara-maki and Hara-ate. 10th–15th centuries
5. Pre-modern transitional period Dou designs: Mogami-dou and Nuinobe Dou, 15th–16th centuries
6. Tosei Dou – modern cuirass: Okegawa Yokohagi and Okegawa Tatehagi dou, 16th–17th centuries
7. Tatami Dou – folding armour, 15th–19th centuries
8. Regional and clan Influenced varieties of Dou: Etchu, Hikone, Kaga and Sendai Yoroi, 16th–18th centuries
9. Kabuto – helmets
10. Mengu – facial armour: Hanbo, Me-no-shita and Somen, 14th–19th centuries
11. Sangu – armour components for the extremities: Kote, Haidate and Suneate, 10th–19th centuries
12. Coming full circle – the revival of ancient armour styles, 17th–19th centuries
13. The westernization of Japanese armour, 19th–21st centuries
14. Japanese armour in Japan today
15. Buyers guide – an essential check-list
Bibliography
Glossary
Index