Custom Yoroi - Samurai Store International
Jun 3, 2012 22:10:01 GMT
Post by Rifleman Lizard on Jun 3, 2012 22:10:01 GMT
Evening Ladies and Gents,
My armour arrived yesterday! It was a lengthy wait but it was more than worth it.
This is just a look at and run down of this particular yoroi samurai armour. A few people have asked me to get some pictures up and now that it’s here; I can do just that. Grab yourself a brew and chill for ten minutes.
As time goes on I'm getting more and more serious about photography and combining it with my other passions. The camera did play a small hand in why I wanted a suit of Japanese armour, although I'm fascinated by the samurai and have studied their culture, finished many books but was always left wanting more. Why not, right?
I ordered it from Samurai Store International.
Before I confirmed it there was a lengthy back and forth via email, as it never hurts to ask questions. I spoke with a Mr Tosh Kirita who was very polite, helpful and very willing to work with me. I was really happy with the service I received.
When it comes to international dealings, especially on the other side of the earth; it’s important to remember the time zone difference.
I was always excited and eager to keep communication going but if I did annoy Mr Kirita with my constant questioning; he was polite enough not to tell me.
They’re a small team of under 30 people, passionate about their heritage, wishing to share the spirit of the samurai with the world.
Their products start at a couple of thousand but go all the way up to... over a quarter of a million dollars. :shock:
Standard sizes ie; average Japanese male, take 6-7 weeks to make from scratch. I requested custom sizing and this added 3-4 weeks to the completion time. It also spent a week in customs until I paid the ransom... I mean... import VAT.
A quick run down
Remember: you can click pictures to enlarge them.
The armour I chose was listed as Konito-Odashi Kuronimaido. It is a very traditional style of yoroi that wouldn’t be out of place on a 14th century Daimyo.
The plates are made of solid iron and are much heavier than I anticipated. The armour parts themselves have been lacquered in a deep onyx black.
Brass trim frames the armour and decorative brass plates are fixed to specific parts of the yoroi, such as the kabuto and dou.
The metal parts are kept together with teal blue and crimson red silk. There are also a few small leather parts.
Samurai wore a kabuto (helmet), mostly to stop their heads from being stoved in or rolling off on their own, but also to display high ranking positions and status. As armours changed they also became more elaborate and many historical examples sport dramatic, completely over the top head ornaments such as metre high horns and gold peacock feathers. I wanted this one to be practical as well as good looking.
It is a hoshi style kabuto or “star dome helmet” made of 8 individual iron plates.
The dome is studded and the linked guards cover the neck from the rear as well as the sides.
Two brass horns tower over a central header board. This one is the Maruni Mitsu Aoi, triple hollyhock mon of the Tokugawa clan.
The Tokugawa ruled as Shoguns from 1603 until 1868; the Meiji restoration where Imperial forces fought the Bakufu loyalists to restore the powers of Emperor Meiji. They succeeded and the Imperial victory was the killing blow to the Way of the Samurai.
The visor piece and the two turned back arches are fixed with white leather accents, painted in red, green, black floral and kanji motifs. They’re also studded with tiny brass stars.
I always notice something new each time I look at these finer details.
The menpo is typical of many armours with a long chin and a screaming grimace. It is made of two metal parts; the face and the nose plate. Top and bottom teeth have been painted gold and a thick cream samurai ‘stache is made of trimmed horse hair, for that old badass around town look. I'd make a joke about an ex but I'm still battling a hangover.
The main dou is formed from two large seperate parts. The breastplate is connected to the back piece via a hinge and long pin on the left hand side. Once enclosed around the body it is tied on the right side and connected to the shoulders near the collar loops.
The back piece is the largest of the two because it arches over the body to the front.
Padding is fixed as part of the body armour itself with cream/brown silk shoulders and a full collar, all braided with the same teal silk as the metal components.
Like the kabuto, it also has some white leather trim and is painted in a similar fashion.
The Tokugawa mon is painted in gold across the breast and stomach. It’s very clean with no marks or errors.
Both individual parts are connected to three lower guards, so once together the body piece has six lower plates with three on each side. These cover the groin and arse, obviously two more places you really don’t want to catch a spear or an arrow.
The kote (armoured sleeves) are woven with a bronze and charcoal patterned silk. Above the cloth of the arms and along the outsides are many smaller iron plates that are linked together with tiny chains. Like the rest of the armour pieces all of these are lacquered black. The inside arms are left unarmoured in the interests of greater movement; i.e freedom of attack and defense.
These thinner plates with gaps allow the arms to move freely as if they were not there. They are still rather heavy however.
The hand guards cover the back of the hands to the tips of the fingers and thumbs, leaving the wearer free to grip a weapon with bare hands.
Large shoulder guards are connected to dou and the kote, giving excellent protection and keeping it strong and secure against the body.
Further down is the haidate, the armoured skirt guards that cover the thighs to just above the knees. It is made of the same silk and patterns as the kote arms but with the same white trim as the kabuto and dou pieces.
The skirt plates only cover the front of the legs and leave the hamstrings exposed. However, if a samurai had his back to the enemy then he wasn't doing his job right, so I can see the advantage of leaving them unarmoured.
Like the rest of the iron parts these plates are very thick, even and well crafted.
Finally, the shin guards cover and pad the knees, with better metallic protection given to front of the shins down to the feet.
Every stitch and every link in this armour was clearly made with a passion for tradition and attention to detail. I wouldn't change a single part of it and it has already found pride of place next to my nihonto, in my quiet den where I read and play music.
I'm really glad I went with these guys and I'm honoured to own their art.
The Samurai Store website form asks for only a short list of details for custom sizing, but I sent nearly every physical measurement in one email and it certainly paid off.
I tried on each piece and it all fits perfectly with no slack but with just enough room to wear the proper clothing underneath.
Most of the time it'll sit still and ward away evil spirits but I've also planned a photography project, where I'll be riding in it for some black and white work.
The goal is to keep everything accurate and true to form, while capturing the motions of the horse and the rider, kicking up dirt as the horse pounds up the ground. I have riding experience from my pre-military days but I've never ridden in armour before, so I'm looking forward to it and excited to see how it feels.
All I'm waiting for now is the appropriate footwear and some bamboo arrows for my yumi. I'm still using carbons for my traditional bow but like all obsessive compulsive people I think; "It has to be perfect".
Hopefully it'll happen some time in August so keep an eye out for more photos.
Until then, I hope you've found this to be an enjoyable and interesting read. Feel free to shoot me any questions either here or in a PM.
Thanks guys,
Chris
My armour arrived yesterday! It was a lengthy wait but it was more than worth it.
This is just a look at and run down of this particular yoroi samurai armour. A few people have asked me to get some pictures up and now that it’s here; I can do just that. Grab yourself a brew and chill for ten minutes.
As time goes on I'm getting more and more serious about photography and combining it with my other passions. The camera did play a small hand in why I wanted a suit of Japanese armour, although I'm fascinated by the samurai and have studied their culture, finished many books but was always left wanting more. Why not, right?
I ordered it from Samurai Store International.
Before I confirmed it there was a lengthy back and forth via email, as it never hurts to ask questions. I spoke with a Mr Tosh Kirita who was very polite, helpful and very willing to work with me. I was really happy with the service I received.
When it comes to international dealings, especially on the other side of the earth; it’s important to remember the time zone difference.
I was always excited and eager to keep communication going but if I did annoy Mr Kirita with my constant questioning; he was polite enough not to tell me.
They’re a small team of under 30 people, passionate about their heritage, wishing to share the spirit of the samurai with the world.
Their products start at a couple of thousand but go all the way up to... over a quarter of a million dollars. :shock:
Standard sizes ie; average Japanese male, take 6-7 weeks to make from scratch. I requested custom sizing and this added 3-4 weeks to the completion time. It also spent a week in customs until I paid the ransom... I mean... import VAT.
A quick run down
Remember: you can click pictures to enlarge them.
The armour I chose was listed as Konito-Odashi Kuronimaido. It is a very traditional style of yoroi that wouldn’t be out of place on a 14th century Daimyo.
The plates are made of solid iron and are much heavier than I anticipated. The armour parts themselves have been lacquered in a deep onyx black.
Brass trim frames the armour and decorative brass plates are fixed to specific parts of the yoroi, such as the kabuto and dou.
The metal parts are kept together with teal blue and crimson red silk. There are also a few small leather parts.
Samurai wore a kabuto (helmet), mostly to stop their heads from being stoved in or rolling off on their own, but also to display high ranking positions and status. As armours changed they also became more elaborate and many historical examples sport dramatic, completely over the top head ornaments such as metre high horns and gold peacock feathers. I wanted this one to be practical as well as good looking.
It is a hoshi style kabuto or “star dome helmet” made of 8 individual iron plates.
The dome is studded and the linked guards cover the neck from the rear as well as the sides.
Two brass horns tower over a central header board. This one is the Maruni Mitsu Aoi, triple hollyhock mon of the Tokugawa clan.
The Tokugawa ruled as Shoguns from 1603 until 1868; the Meiji restoration where Imperial forces fought the Bakufu loyalists to restore the powers of Emperor Meiji. They succeeded and the Imperial victory was the killing blow to the Way of the Samurai.
The visor piece and the two turned back arches are fixed with white leather accents, painted in red, green, black floral and kanji motifs. They’re also studded with tiny brass stars.
I always notice something new each time I look at these finer details.
The menpo is typical of many armours with a long chin and a screaming grimace. It is made of two metal parts; the face and the nose plate. Top and bottom teeth have been painted gold and a thick cream samurai ‘stache is made of trimmed horse hair, for that old badass around town look. I'd make a joke about an ex but I'm still battling a hangover.
The main dou is formed from two large seperate parts. The breastplate is connected to the back piece via a hinge and long pin on the left hand side. Once enclosed around the body it is tied on the right side and connected to the shoulders near the collar loops.
The back piece is the largest of the two because it arches over the body to the front.
Padding is fixed as part of the body armour itself with cream/brown silk shoulders and a full collar, all braided with the same teal silk as the metal components.
Like the kabuto, it also has some white leather trim and is painted in a similar fashion.
The Tokugawa mon is painted in gold across the breast and stomach. It’s very clean with no marks or errors.
Both individual parts are connected to three lower guards, so once together the body piece has six lower plates with three on each side. These cover the groin and arse, obviously two more places you really don’t want to catch a spear or an arrow.
The kote (armoured sleeves) are woven with a bronze and charcoal patterned silk. Above the cloth of the arms and along the outsides are many smaller iron plates that are linked together with tiny chains. Like the rest of the armour pieces all of these are lacquered black. The inside arms are left unarmoured in the interests of greater movement; i.e freedom of attack and defense.
These thinner plates with gaps allow the arms to move freely as if they were not there. They are still rather heavy however.
The hand guards cover the back of the hands to the tips of the fingers and thumbs, leaving the wearer free to grip a weapon with bare hands.
Large shoulder guards are connected to dou and the kote, giving excellent protection and keeping it strong and secure against the body.
Further down is the haidate, the armoured skirt guards that cover the thighs to just above the knees. It is made of the same silk and patterns as the kote arms but with the same white trim as the kabuto and dou pieces.
The skirt plates only cover the front of the legs and leave the hamstrings exposed. However, if a samurai had his back to the enemy then he wasn't doing his job right, so I can see the advantage of leaving them unarmoured.
Like the rest of the iron parts these plates are very thick, even and well crafted.
Finally, the shin guards cover and pad the knees, with better metallic protection given to front of the shins down to the feet.
Every stitch and every link in this armour was clearly made with a passion for tradition and attention to detail. I wouldn't change a single part of it and it has already found pride of place next to my nihonto, in my quiet den where I read and play music.
I'm really glad I went with these guys and I'm honoured to own their art.
The Samurai Store website form asks for only a short list of details for custom sizing, but I sent nearly every physical measurement in one email and it certainly paid off.
I tried on each piece and it all fits perfectly with no slack but with just enough room to wear the proper clothing underneath.
Most of the time it'll sit still and ward away evil spirits but I've also planned a photography project, where I'll be riding in it for some black and white work.
The goal is to keep everything accurate and true to form, while capturing the motions of the horse and the rider, kicking up dirt as the horse pounds up the ground. I have riding experience from my pre-military days but I've never ridden in armour before, so I'm looking forward to it and excited to see how it feels.
All I'm waiting for now is the appropriate footwear and some bamboo arrows for my yumi. I'm still using carbons for my traditional bow but like all obsessive compulsive people I think; "It has to be perfect".
Hopefully it'll happen some time in August so keep an eye out for more photos.
Until then, I hope you've found this to be an enjoyable and interesting read. Feel free to shoot me any questions either here or in a PM.
Thanks guys,
Chris