Samurai Arm Guard

Right sleeve of a pair of russet iron, iron, bishamon style samurai arm guards (tetsu sabiji bishamon-gote). This style is distinguished by a shoulder guard (sode) built into the structure of the sleeve. The exterior fabric is of undecorated, dark blue fabric and the interior is a coarse green fabric. The fabrics are joined at an edge made of tan leather. Much of the exposed exterior is covered with mail (kusari) made of small, circular links. The lower arm has three elongated iron splints (shino) with a russet iron finish. Mail attaches the splints to one another and to the fabric of the sleeve. The hand guard (tekko) is made of four undecorated plates and the underside is covered in stenciled leather. The elbow plate (hijigane) is in the shape of a chrysanthemum. The sleeve is tightened and tied with tan silk cords and secured with dark brown toggles made of horn.

The attached shoulder guard is made of five iron lames. Each lame is made of a single iron plate (ita-mono) coated with black lacquer. The first lame connects to the second and the second to the third with tan silk lacing. The third lame connects to the fourth and the fourth to the fifth with green lacing. All lacing is in the kebiki-odoshi style. The final lame is coated in red lacquer and finished with a rippled texture (tataki nuri) that creates ridges and bumps.