Advice on how to attach Sode

[Todashi]

I own a couple of sets of repro armour, including one that was bought second hand, and had been quite battered. It was used for martial arts purposes.

One issue is that the original Sode are missing whatever ties they originally came with to attach them to the shoulders/top of the dou section.

There are a few websites out there where you can buy parts, such as Iron Mountain, Marutake, Namikawa etc, but I don't know what I'm missing, because they were there to begin with, if you know what I mean. 

 

So does anyone know how these should be attached?

 

It's the same suit as pictured in this book cover.

IMG_2650.HEIC

[uwe]

Hello Alex!

 

Depicted are so called ō-sode. There should be 4 cords:

 

uke-o (on the frontside, for connection with the watagami)

shikka no o (middle, also for connection with the watagami)

kake-o (at the backside, for connection with the agemaki loops)

mizunomi no o (on the kōgai-kanamono, for connection with the agemaki no kan)

 

I admit, a tad complicated. If you like, I can post a pic tomorrow?!

[Todashi]

That would be great, thank you Uwe. 

The connecting cords on my suit have been replaced with paradors(!), presumably because the original cords weren't good quality. 

I would like to identify what they should be made from so I can get new cords of the right material to fix them in place. Thank you for your help.

 

 

[uwe]

Here you go...

 

 

[kissakai]

Magic thanks. I also have a pair of sode

[waljamada]

I need to do this as well...right now I just have the sode (which lacks the cords) simply resting on the shoulders using the yoroi stand and my presentation did not impress when I shared it =|:^) 

 

Also, thanks for sharing that uwe.

[uwe]

Please keep in mind, that only applies for “real ō-sode”. During the Edo period you can find some simplifications to the sode as also to the accompanying dō!