Rome vs Japan

[Narukami]

There is no evidence whatsoever for Japanese leather armor.

M.VIB.M.

That is not entirely correct.

Now I admit I am "nit picking" here, however...

In Turnbull's book, The Samurai A Military History (page 194 for those of you with a copy of the book) there is a photo of a special suit of armor made of cowhide owned by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

The caption goes on to say:

"He is traditionally supposed to have had this unusual armour made as a reply to a taunt from Hideyoshi referring to him as 'The cow of the Kanto,' an allusion to the country provinces which Ieyasu received after the fall of the Hojo."

The armor is now in the Tokugawa Art Museum in Nagoya.

Of course, this is the exception that proves the rule. I do not have a photo to upload, but I will bet that with your resources M.VIB.M you do.
The photos you have provided so far have been excellent.



Narukami