Japanese Samurai were apex warriors, superlative fighters dedicated to their daimyo, or lord, and living according to the principles of bushido, an honour code that stressed selfless service, martial excellence, valour in battle and implacable determination. Often fighting on horseback and skilled archers, they developed a style of armour which, although changing over time, suited the dexterous combat techniques developed in Japan in the medieval and early modern eras.
Samurai Armour provides a vivid and informative guide to the many types of armour worn by Japanese warriors from the 10th to the 19th centuries. Learn about the classic o-Yoroi ('great armour'), designed for its lightness and flexibility for firing a bow from horseback; understand the development of the haramake ("belly wrap") armour, worn by the ashigaru men-at-arms - a new class of foot soldier that emerged during the Warring States period (1467-1615); explore the many types of classic Do-maru, a heavy box-like armour constructed from flexible small scales of leather or metal laced into plates with cord; and see the various armoured elements used by samurai, including highly decorative kabutos (helmets), haidate (thigh guards) which were tied around the waist, and elaborate ornamental mempo (face masks) designed to reflect the personality of the wearer and strike fear into his enemies.
With 180 photographs and illustrations covering every aspect of Japanese armour, Samurai Armour provides a compact, accessible guide to this complex, highly decorative protective clothing that still fascinates modern readers.
| ISBN: | 9781838866136 |
| Publication date: | 14th October 2025 |
| Author: | Martin J Dougherty |
| Publisher: | Amber Books an imprint of Amber Books Ltd |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 224 pages |
| Series: | Quarterbound Cultures Collection |
| Genres: |
Early modern warfare (including gunpowder warfare) Land forces and warfare Medieval warfare (predating gunpowder warfare) Militaria, arms and armour Theory of warfare and military science Asian history |
Japanese Samurai were apex warriors, superlative fighters dedicated to their daimyo, or lord, and living according to the principles of bushido, an honour code that stressed selfless service, martial excellence, valour in battle and implacable determination. Often fighting on horseback and skilled archers, they developed a style of armour which, although changing over time, suited the dexterous combat techniques developed in Japan in the medieval and early modern eras.
Samurai Armour provides a vivid and informative guide to the many types of armour worn by Japanese warriors from the 10th to the 19th centuries. Learn about the classic o-Yoroi ('great armour'), designed for its lightness and flexibility for firing a bow from horseback; understand the development of the haramake ("belly wrap") armour, worn by the ashigaru men-at-arms - a new class of foot soldier that emerged during the Warring States period (1467-1615); explore the many types of classic Do-maru, a heavy box-like armour constructed from flexible small scales of leather or metal laced into plates with cord; and see the various armoured elements used by samurai, including highly decorative kabutos (helmets), haidate (thigh guards) which were tied around the waist, and elaborate ornamental mempo (face masks) designed to reflect the personality of the wearer and strike fear into his enemies.
With 180 photographs and illustrations covering every aspect of Japanese armour, Samurai Armour provides a compact, accessible guide to this complex, highly decorative protective clothing that still fascinates modern readers.
Samurai Armour features in the following genres: Early modern warfare (including gunpowder warfare), Land forces and warfare, Medieval warfare (predating gunpowder warfare), Militaria, arms and armour, Theory of warfare and military science, Asian history
Samurai Armour is available in Hardback
Samurai Armour was written by Martin J Dougherty and published by Amber Books an imprint of Amber Books Ltd
Samurai Armour has 224 pages
Yes it is part of Quarterbound Cultures Collection series
£27.00