Sode – Shoulder Protection

Sode is referred to as Spaulders because these are part of the Samurai Suit that shoulder guard. Sode-Jirushi is for badge use on the shoulder. This Samurai Armor is made of leather and iron plates; rectangular in shape.

These shoulder guards are an important element of the Samurai Armor and are a part of the cuirass. Sode protects the elbows and not just the shoulders. Its evolution from period to period showed the changing needs for each type of battles fought.

These means these paddings also change to give the armor its distinctive appearance. These were laced together in six to seven rows with the top portion riveted to the long plate or Kamuri-no-ita.

This is known as O-Sode as it acts to allow the soldiers to move freely his arms while moving the rest of his body even when this piece of garment protects his shoulders.

Create Your Custom Samurai Sword

Custom Katana

Custom Wakizashi

Custom Tanto

 

Do-Maru

There was a period when retainers and servants are required to wear simple armor or Do-Maru with the O-Yoroi. These are armor constructed with scales and have no hinges.

This simply opens from under the right arm. The term Do-Maru means around the body. This is a cuirass wrapped around the body. This means they do not require Sode.

In place of these shoulder guards, they use two small leaf-like plates referred to as Gyojo. These were worn when walking or running near the horse with their lords. However, it only provides protection for the shoulders but, not the arms.

Sode: A Call for Change

In the 15th century, a new evolution of Do-maru called for the use of classical O-Sode. It was during this time that officials notice that there was no place to attach the knot or agemaki.

A new evolution in the form of cuirass with buttons or Kohaze was developed. This was tied around the waist. This protected the back but, was given a dubbed as coward’s plate.

By the end of the 15th century, the big Sode was replaced with new types of shoulder pads. All of these provide better protection and mobility for the arms.

The craftsman curved the topmost plate that decreased the size of the Sode. The once complicated procedure of tying the knot was replaced with buttons; these were attached to the Watagami.

A common rule of thumb is that each kind of armor and the changes that took over means the need to match the kind of cuirass to use. This was usually made of lamellae laced with sugake or kebiki-odoshi and lacquered at the same type.

Finishing called for the use of reddish-brown lacquer rather than polishing it like what was seen on European cuirass. Some Kote has this part integrated into it.

Create Your Custom Sword

Custom Ninjato

Custom Nagamaki

Custom Nodachi

 

The armored sleeves were sewn together to form a short vest-like armor. This was no ordinary vest since it was protected with Brigandine Kikko. This Kote is known as Ai-gote.

During night attacks, ambushes and extreme weather conditions instead of using Sashimono they use Sode-Jirushi and Kasa-Jirushi in its place. This shows how important these shoulder garments are.