Bone Armor

Bill M · 23rd August 2007, 05:13 PM

The study of Armor is fascinating. Early Japanese armor was made of leather, sewn together with fibers.

A great deal of thought was put into what part of the cow or other animal was the most durable. One high ranking Japanese guy had a suit or cuirass made from cow's knees. His logic was that this was the most durable leather since the cow knelt there.

Since many Japanese were Hindu, there was a prohibition against using animal products, so a very low and shunned caste was developed called the "eta" who worked with animal products. After processing into leather, the logic was that it was ok to use it.

This same logic prevailed when eating venison, which the Japanese called "mountain whale."

The early metal plates armor was held together by fibers, until chain mail was invented. Actually early Japanese armor did not use chain mail except to hold the plates together.

Japanese armor is very ingenious. There was a type that when a bow was drawn, slid back from the drawing arm to give greater flexibility, but when the arm was lowered, slid forward to cover it.

VANDOO · 23rd August 2007, 05:37 PM

UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NO PROVENANCE ON THESE ITEMS EXCEPT THE GILBERT ISLANDS ARMOR WHICH IS FROM A BOOK AND IS IN A MUSEUM. THE OTHER EXAMPLES ARE FROM PICTURES FROM PAST AUCTIONS ON EBAY, MOSTLY SELLING FROM BALI OR KUCHING MALAYSIAN BORNEO. I HAVE SENT A PM WITH A LITTLE MORE INFO.

fearn · 23rd August 2007, 09:10 PM

Hi Bill,

I'm pretty sure that the Japanese were Buddhist and Shinto, not Hindu, although I'm not sure how that worked out in their system of ranking people.

Otherwise, the Gilbert Islands are known today as the Republic of Kiribati, of which (I believe) Tarawa is the largest island.

F

Bill M · 23rd August 2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearn

Hi Bill,

I'm pretty sure that the Japanese were Buddhist and Shinto, not Hindu, although I'm not sure how that worked out in their system of ranking people.

Otherwise, the Gilbert Islands are known today as the Republic of Kiribati, of which (I believe) Tarawa is the largest island.

F

Fearn,

You are absolutely right -- Buddhist. My mistake, still problems with animals.

23rd August 2007, 05:13 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	The study of Armor is fascinating. Early Japanese armor was made of leather, sewn together with fibers. A great deal of thought was put into what part of the cow or other animal was the most durable. One high ranking Japanese guy had a suit or cuirass made from cow's knees. His logic was that this was the most durable leather since the cow knelt there. Since many Japanese were Hindu, there was a prohibition against using animal products, so a very low and shunned caste was developed called the "eta" who worked with animal products. After processing into leather, the logic was that it was ok to use it. This same logic prevailed when eating venison, which the Japanese called "mountain whale." The early metal plates armor was held together by fibers, until chain mail was invented. Actually early Japanese armor did not use chain mail except to hold the plates together. Japanese armor is very ingenious. There was a type that when a bow was drawn, slid back from the drawing arm to give greater flexibility, but when the arm was lowered, slid forward to cover it.

23rd August 2007, 05:37 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NO PROVENANCE ON THESE ITEMS EXCEPT THE GILBERT ISLANDS ARMOR WHICH IS FROM A BOOK AND IS IN A MUSEUM. THE OTHER EXAMPLES ARE FROM PICTURES FROM PAST AUCTIONS ON EBAY, MOSTLY SELLING FROM BALI OR KUCHING MALAYSIAN BORNEO. I HAVE SENT A PM WITH A LITTLE MORE INFO.

23rd August 2007, 09:10 PM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Bill, I'm pretty sure that the Japanese were Buddhist and Shinto, not Hindu, although I'm not sure how that worked out in their system of ranking people. Otherwise, the Gilbert Islands are known today as the Republic of Kiribati, of which (I believe) Tarawa is the largest island. F