Nanbandō
As Nanbandō ( Japanese南蛮 胴) a Japanese armor is referred to, the appearance of which is based on Western armor, as they came to Japan in the 16th century with the Portuguese and Spaniards .
description
The most important element was the cuirass , i.e. an iron plate tapering towards the middle of the abdomen, which covers the entire trunk in one piece. This form offered better protection against firearms than the completely unsuitable traditional armor of the samurai . Armguards, face masks, armored aprons ( kusazuri ), greaves and jewelry were still kept in the Japanese style, based on the Tōseigusoku model . Some armor was made so sturdy that it was considered bulletproof. The cuirass made this armor heavy, and although this armor could be entirely made by Japanese artisans, it was expensive to purchase. Therefore, they were mainly worn by generals like Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu .
The Nanbandō was next to modern artillery and the rifle ( teppō ) the third important innovation on the battlefields of the Sengoku period , which came to Japan with the Nanban trade .
Individual evidence
- ^ Bryant, McBride: The samurai. 1989, p. 52.
literature
- Anthony J. Bryant: The samurai. Warriors of medieval Japan, 940–1600 (= Elite Series 23). Color Plates by Angus McBride. Osprey Publishing, London 1989, ISBN 0-85045-897-8 .
