Samurai Gusoku Armor

Japanese

Armor used

from the

15th to 19th

centuries

Easy to

reproduce

and repair

Samurai Gusoku Armor

Gusoku armor has

two basic pieces

Do (chest protector)

Kabuto (helmet)

Made with leather,

iron, fabric,

horsehair.

Samurai Gusoku Armor

After the introduction

of firearms, the suits

of armor included

steel like this sample

our piece does not

include steel so we

know it is an older

style of armor.

Samurai Gusoku Armor

5 sections provide

versatility and movement.

Kabuto is which part?

The Kabuto can have a

crest in the form of an

animal or insect to

represent the wearers

family crest.

Our suit of armor is from

the Matsudaira Clan.

Boys’ Day Armor

Boys are presented with

small suits of armor as

a symbol of strength

and family pride

A paper mache’ model of the armor used to celebrate a Japanese Holiday

5th day of 5th month, families place flying paper fish outside their door. Each fish represents a son in the house

On Boys’ Day in Japan, the boys in the family are presented with small sets of armor. Although this armor is only paper mache’, why do you think the families in Japan had this tradition?

Samurai Gusoku Armor

What do you see in this image?

What patterns and colors do you see in the armor? Why do you think these patterns and colors were used?

The Samurai suit has a family crest on its helmet. Why do you think it was important for the makers of the helmets to include family crests?

Japanese Family Crests

What are some differences you see between this Samurai armor and the armor and military uniforms you see in the movies, on TV or in the news?

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