Table Of Content

To my loving wife and children, who patiently missed out on so much without complaint while they supported me through the writing of this book. & In memory of Anthony Bryant, 1961–2013, with whom this book was originally to have been co-written. I’m sure this book is lacking for your absence, Anthony. CONTENTS FOREWORD PREFACE INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1: JAPANESE HISTORY AND THE SAMURAI Prehistoric era to the early 17th century CHAPTER 2: THE DŌ (CUIRASS) The foundation of Japanese armour CHAPTER 3: ANCIENT ARMOUR Tankō, keikō, uchikake-keikō and men’ōchū, 2nd century BC– 9th century AD CHAPTER 4: EARLY FORMS OF SAMURAI ARMOUR Yoroi, dō-maru, maru-dō, haramaki and hara-ate, 10th–15th centuries CHAPTER 5: PRE-MODERN DŌ DESIGNS The Mōgami, nuinobe and tatami methods, late 15th–16th centuries CHAPTER 6: TOSEI-DŌ MODERN CUIRASS DESIGNS, PART I Yokohagi-okegawa and related styles of dō, 16th century onward CHAPTER 7: TOSEI-DŌ MODERN CUIRASS DESIGNS, PART II Tatehagi-okegawa and related styles of dō, 16th century onward CHAPTER 8: TOSEI-DŌ MODERN CUIRASS DESIGNS, PART III Ashigaru, tatami and variations CHAPTER 9: COMING FULL CIRCLE The revival of ancient armour styles, 17th–19th centuries CHAPTER 10: THE WESTERNIZATION OF JAPANESE ARMOUR 19th–early 20th centuries NOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY IMAGE SOURCES GLOSSARY INDEX FOREWORD A very high quality mid-17th century kebiki odoshi hon kozane ni-mai-dō gusoku that was made for a senior member of the powerful Matsudaira clan, who were closely related with the ruling Tokugawa Shōguns. It is indeed an honour and pleasure to be asked by Trevor Absolon to write a foreword for his new publication. I have known Trevor for nearly ten years and during that time he collaborated with me on an exhibition in 2010 which focused on samurai arms and armour at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. He generously loaned many examples from his own collection and kindly offered his expertise for making the exhibition a major success with the public. Trevor has also donated some important samurai paraphernalia to our art museum including a magnificent helmet (kabuto), a face protector (menpo), sections of armour and four important samurai banners/standards (sashimono). Trevor Absolon’s book provides a new and refreshing look at the military history of Japan and the improvement of samurai armour through the ages. His absorbing examination of a complex theme provides us not only with a wealth of knowledge but also much new and interesting research material. The book makes a serious attempt to trace the development, influences, exchanges and the perfection of early Japan’s protective armour, and is vital to understanding the subject. Trevor’s new perspectives and spontaneous writing style provide us with a fascinating read. It will no doubt become an important reference book in the future for all those who love the subject matter of Japan’s great warriors, the samurai. Trevor’s wonderful historical narrative is accompanied by a brilliant array of works of art and detailed illustrations of samurai armour. He has chosen the images well, not only for their beauty and story-telling but also in the case of armour for its practical usage in battle and for its symbolism and pageantry. Connoisseurs of the military arts will no doubt be satisfied with this marvellous presentation. I warmly and enthusiastically recommend this book. Barry Till Curator of Asian Art (1981–2017) Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, British Columbia, Canada