Japanese armor worn by all samurai classes – the Tatami Gusoku

Tatami Gusoki in Japanese means  “To Fold armor” and was a lightweight portable armor worn by samurai and their foot soldiers ashigaru during the feudal era of Japan.

This type of armor could be easily transported by one individual as it could be contained in a small box, ergo it was commonly intended for a low-ranking infantryman.

Edo period karuta tatami dō gusoku. A lightweight, portable folding (tatami) armor made from small square or rectangle armor plates called karuta. The karuta are usually connected to each other by chainmail and sewn to a cloth backing, Met Museum New York.Photo Credit

The main components of this type of armor were tatami katabira (an armored jacket) or Tatami dō (a foldable cuirass), as well was the traditional kabuto helmet, tatami zukin (hood) or similar type of tatami head protection along with the other related parts of a full suit of Japanese armour.

Tatami armors were worn by all Samurai classes, from the highest to the lowest, as the armor was portable, lightweight and was manufactured cheaply for the foot warriors.

 

Japanese folding armor (tatami gusoku), Edo period. Photo Credit

 

 

Kusari tatami gusoku, a suit of chain armour

 

Kusari tatami gusoku, a suit of chain armour.Photo Credit

The elaborate, gold lacquer ornaments and silk brocade are unusual for this type of armor, as it usually came in more plain and easy to fold design.

The decorated tatami armor was usually worn by the high-class Samurai, while the lower class wore more simple versions.

Edo period tetsu kikko tatami dō. A lightweight, portable folding tatami cuirass, made from small metal hexagon armor plates (kikko), sewn to a cloth backing.Photo Credit

 

Edo period kikko tatami dō. A cuirass with small hexagon armor plates kikko. The kikko are connected to each other by chainmail and sewn to a cloth backing.Photo Credit

Like Samurai articles? Here is another from us: The unique Samurai helmet was called Kabuto but was it an ironic part of the traditional Japanese armour?

Kusari tatami dō, a cuirass made from chain armour shown next to a traditional iron cuirass.