SAMURAI ARMOUR VOL.1 THE JAPANESE CUIRASS

Questo primo tomo di un’opera in due volumi dedicata ai Samurai traccia la storia dei guerrieri e del ‘cuirass’ o ‘dou’ – l’armatura a protezione del busto. Uno studio molto dettagliato e ben illustrato.

For beauty, precision and strength, nothing has ever matched the combination of form and function found in the armour of the samurai. For a samurai, the consummate warrior, his suit of armour was so much more than 'just' protective equipment that could save his life in the heat of battle - it was the embodiment of his personality, social status and very soul. This volume, the first in a two-part series on the armour of the samurai, traces first the history of the samurai themselves and then examines the history and evolution of the cuirass or dou, the armour protecting the samurai's chest. Drawing on over 20 years of research and technical work by Trevor Absolon, a leading expert, this is a complete study of this fundamental aspect of samurai armour construction. Stunningly illustrated throughout, this is more than just a detailed technical exploration, it is a meditation on a process that was, and still is, nothing short of an art form.

CONTENTS:

Foreword

1. Introduction

2. Dou - Cuirass: the foundation of Japanese armour

3. Ancient armour: Tanko, Keiko and Mencho, 3rd-9th centuries

4. Early forms of Samurai armour: O-yoroi, Dou-maru, Maru-dou, Hara-maki and Hara-ate. 10th-15th centuries

5. Pre-modern transitional period dou designs: Mogami-dou and Nuinobe Dou, 15th-16th centuries

6. Tosei Dou - modern cuirass Part I: Okegawa Yokohagi constructed cuirass and related styles, 16th century onward

7. Tosei Dou - modern cuirass Part II: Tatehagi Okegawa constructed cuirass and related dou styles, 16th century onward

8. Tosei Dou - modern cuirass part III: Okashi Gusoku and other alternative forms of cuirass, 16th century onward

9. Coming full circle - the revival of ancient armour styles, 17th-19th centuries

10. The Westernization of Japanese armour, 19th-21st centuries

Glossary