The O-Yoroi is what most people think of when they think of Japanese armor due to its unique nature. O-Yoroi or great armor first started to appear in the 10^th century, but only started to become a commonly used armor in the Genpi Wars around the 12^th centuries when the call for armor was at its peak. The O-Yoroi was made from small scales of leather or metal laced into plates with cord and lacquered. Then each plate where laced together to form the armor. During the life of O-Yoroi their metal of choice was iron. due to the weight of iron armoires limited the use of iron to the most vital parts of the armor and used the leather for the remainder. Another workaround used was the alternating of one metal plate then a leather plate making a very strong armor with great flexibility with a usable weight. Overall the standard suit of armor was about 30kg or 65 pounds. This armor was designed for a mounted archer. It was a big boxy armor that was for the most part inflexible and not form fitting. Consequently the O-Yoroi was not used by the infantry or by spearmen. The boxy shape prevented the samurai from using the sword with the free, fluid motion that is needed in hand to hand combat. Accessories found on O-Yoroi may include two leather straps over the cords that attach the straps, these where used to prevent the cords from being cut or knocked off by weapons.

For the most part the O-Yoroi was a rich mans armor and not used by lower ranking samurai.

Here are some of the more impressive O-Yoroi pictures I have found.

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