Japanese Armour - Auxiliary Armours

Auxiliary Armours

• Guruwa, a type of throat and neck protector.
• Nodowa, a type of throat and neck guard.
• Tate-eri, the tate-eri is a small padded pillow like piece with a standing armored collar that sits on the shoulder to protect from the weight of the dou (dō). The standing collar would be lined with kikko armor to protect the neck.
• Manju no wa, the manju no wa, ( also manjunowa or manju nowa ) is a combination of shoulder pads, collar and armpit guards in one that protected the upper chest area. Manju no wa were covered with kusari (chain armor), karuta (small armor plates), or kikko (brigandine), these armors or a combination of them were sewn to a cloth backing. The armor could be exposed or hidden between a layer of cloth. When worn the manju no wa looked like a small tight fitting vest. Manju no wa have small wings that would pass under the arm pit area from the back and attach to the front of the manju no wa.
• Manchira, the manchira is a type of armored vest covered with kusari (chain armor), karuta (small armor plates) or kikko (brigandine), these armors or a combination of them were sewn to a cloth backing. The armor could be exposed or hidden between a layer of cloth. Manchira are larger than manju no wa and protected the chest area and sometimes the neck and arm pit. Some manchira could be worn over the dou (dō).
• Wakibiki, the wakibiki is a simple rectangle of cloth covered with kusari (chain armor), karuta (small iron plates), or kikko (brigandine) these armors or a combination of them were sewn to the cloth backing. Wakibiki could also be made from one solid piece of iron or hardened leather. The wakibiki had cords connected to them which allowed the wakibiki to hang from the shoulder, the wakibiki was then suspended over the exposed arm pit area. Wakibiki were worn inside the of the chest armour dou (dō) or on the outside depending on the type.
• Armoured zukin, cloth hoods with various types of armour sewn to the cloth.
• Kogake, armored tabi, a kind of sabaton that covered the top of the foot.
• Jingasa (war hat), resembling the civilian coolie hat, issued to Ashigaru retainers, these could be made from metal or leather.
• Hachi gane/hitai ate, various types of light weight, portable, forehead protectors.
• Katabira, jackets covered with various types of armour, the armour could be exposed or hidden between layers of cloth.