Metal vs Leather Sode and Kusazuri

[Anthony R]

Hi, I'm new to the Forum. Thanks for being here. I've been reading a lot of the older post and learning so much.  My question is more of an armor history question.  The two different sode are metal and the belted kusazuri is leather with metal reinforced strip.

 

Are the metal sode older?

Is the kusazuri newer because its leather? 

Was leather used, then metal, then leather in showa? 

Is it normal to have a leather kusazuri to save weight and metal sodes?  

 

Sorry, I know it's a lot of questions, but I think you may get the gist of it. 

 

Thanks.

 

Anthony R. 

[Bugyotsuji]

Hi Anthony welcome!
As far as I know, dried and hardened ‘nerigawa/nerikawa’ leather has been used as long as iron. They work well together. In alternating sané within the same lame seems to have been a good mix/balance of lightness and strength.

 

What you choose to wear individually would depend on your income, but also on your age and strength. An old general might choose all lacquered nerikawa, because at a glance he would look the part, and no one could tell the difference. But he would be comfortable!

 

Today in western markets however, everyone wants iron.

[Anthony R]

Hi Piers, Thanks for the reply. That is a great analogy, the old general. This makes a lot of sense. So the newer "not battle ready" items are made of what, fiberglass or plastic?  

[Bugyotsuji]

Sorry, you did mention Showa, but I deliberately didn’t answer that part. Apologies.

 

Since Meiji (no longer Edo, feudal Japan) there have been many armour reproductions verging from accurate in every material and method used… to cheap and nasty. Neither has genuine ‘age’ to it but the former are labours of love and truly works of art. The reasons for them are also varied. Armour in bulk from film or movie sets will suddenly appear and get absorbed into the market for example.

 

Some time ago Ian Bottomley former curator of Leeds Royal Armouries became curious about a lacquered set of armour. Normally you use a magnet to check for iron content. There was none. Was it nerikawa or something else? (Sometimes patterns seen or felt under the lacquer will give you a hint.) 

Finally he decided to saw through a section. It was fiberglass! An obvious modern deception. Every piece he sawed through, from what I heard, showed the same result.

[Bugyotsuji]

Oh, Anthony it might also be good to be aware of a company such as Marutake Sangyo which creates ‘old’ armour for special order customers.

https://www.kagoshim...or/attractions/10418

 

https://www.google.c...=mobile-gws-wiz-serp

[Geraint]

Detailed account of Ian's experience with that armour is pinned as the third thread in this Katchu section if you are interested.

 

All the best.