Sode

Named after the cliffs in Japan that share their shape the Sode was the primary shoulder protection on most forms of Japanese armor.  The size and shape of the Sode changed from time to time and with the quality of the armor.   Below is a quick overview of the parts of the Sode.

Kohaze: 

The connector to the Do.  It is simply a piece of leather or bone with lacing looped threw it.   To attach the do you slip the leather piece down to the top of the sode, slide the connector leather on the Do so the loop surrounds it and slip the leather piece back up so it is tightly with the connector.   

Kanmuri ita:

This is the top section of the Sode,  the material differed from age to age but it normally iron with a covering of leather. Often the Kanmuri ita's top had a flip to stop a spear or sword from glancing onto the neck or head.

Ichi-no-ita:

A transitional plate from the Kanmuri to the main body of the Sode often two or three plates of leather thick.

Hishinu-no-ita:

The bottom of the Sode, as you can see there are 2 extra rows of lacing on the bottom mostly for decoration.  

Kogai-no-karamono:

A highly decorated plate of metal with a ring attached.

Mizunomi:

A ring that was used to attach a bow to allow the wearer to keep the Sode in place when riding and pulled back when using a weapon.

O-Sode

O-Sode was primarily used in the O-Yoroi styles untill the 1400's,  The O-Sode was a large cumbersome plate of lammel laced together in the same manner as the Do.  In the materials where leather and iron.  O-Sode where large and inflexible with colorful patterns, but effective when mounted on a horse.  Their main use was to stop slashes and arrows.   

Ko-Sode

Tosei or Ko-Sode started to appear around the 16th century. They where smaller and more form fitting as well as lighter with the advancement in metal smithing.  They fitted much better to the form of the shoulder and the arm, making it much easier to fight with a sword on or off a horse.  The smaller size also allows a greater view over the shoulder.   They also tended to be made with plates not lammel.

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