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II CHARACTERISTICS OF JAPANESE ARMOUR

The factors that characterized Japanese armour are geographical, historical and racial.

1. Geographical Factors

Japan is an island country located near the eastern coast of the Asiatic Continent, and she has the islands of Iki and Tusima to serve her as stepping stones to the Korean Peninsula. She was thus in a position to absorb the superior culture and civilization developed on the continent. At the same time the country was in a very favourable condition to develop, over a long period, what she had imported and to make them her own.

The natural resources of Japan also characterized Japanese armour. Having sufficient resources of iron, copper, gold, and other metals, as well as cattle, horses, deer and other animals, no difficulty was experienced in obtaining materials for armour. Further, lumber and bamboo of good quality added many notable features. Some materials such as horse hair, wool and shark skins were obtained from foreign countries, but various kinds of domestic materials were mostly used to develop special features of Japanese armour.

The use of lacquer is a notable characteristic of Japanese armour. The climate of Japan is damp, and metals rust easily. At first, therefore, lacquer was used on

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armour to prevent the corrosion of metal parts, but it also resulted in increasing the beauty and durability of armour.

2. Historical Factors

Every period of Japanese history had its wars as in other countries. In remote ages there were wars against tribes that previously inhabited the land, and even after the unification of the country under the rule of the Imperial Family, there soon appeared Busi or warriors, and there are records of battles fought in all parts of the country. Wars of the Japanese people differed from those of foreign peoples in that they were mostly conflicts among the same race, and until quite recently wars with other races were very few. Thus, whatever wars might rage in the country, the Emperor has always reigned over the people and country since the very beginning. The moral idea of warriors developed under this Imperial reign found its apogee in the conception and form of Busidō. Busi had a culture which characterized Japanese armour by making it strong and beautiful at the same time. (As for particular wars which had contributed toward the development of the Japanese armour, mention has already been given in the first chapter.)

3. Racial Factors

The Japanese race has ever succeeded since ancient days in absorbing foreign civilization, digesting it and blending it with native culture in order to build up a higher

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state of civilization. This development is seen even in the evolution of armour. For instance, the native armour was generally plate armour, but the people received scale armour from the continent, and adopting its best points developed magnificent scale armour that is far superior to the continental type in beauty and durability. In modern times, the people also adopted European types of armour and made them their own.

The sensitiveness of the people to beauty that has been their strong characteristics since ancient times is seen in their ancient arts and literature. It is also seen in the artistic craftsmanship shown in the metal works, castings, embroidery, leather dyeing and other works connected with armour.

Profound love of beauty and bravery are also manifested in armour-making. Aggressiveness in combat was valued highly, and warriors were willing to sacrifice defensive value in developing the offensive quality of armour. The manufacture of armour with many open spaces proves this, and in the days of bows and arrows, the protection of the right hand and arm was entirely neglected.

The warrior, moreover, respecting the family name and personal honour, desired to make battle actions clear and distinct to both foe and friend. Thus they contrived to make the colours and designs of armour distinctly individual and different as in Europe of the middle ages.

The Japanese sought to gain military good fortune by divine guidance. This pious sentiment was manifested in armour. Busi named their armour after the Kami or

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Buddha they believed in to seek their protection.