Do
The Do has always been the main part of the armor, it is the main body protector and the center of the armor. The Do has evolved form a a simple piece of leather, to a full steel plate. Lets look at the types:
Most types of Japanese armor use scales in at least part of the construction of the armor. Most notably the O-Yoroi and the Do-Maru, The size of the scales and the number of holes varied from style to style. The earlist plates where around 1 x 2 1/2 inches compared to the later period scales that where closer to 1/3 x 2 1/2 inches. For the most part the scales have around 13 holes in them to allow a wide range of lacing patterns. See below for a few different styles of plates.









Mixed styles
There was also a mid style the
incorporated a style that used metal strips about 3-4 inches wide that where
laced together. Here are some examples of this style. 

Questions? Comments? Insults? contact the web master at: Ichiban@wakagashira.com