Samurai Sode

Samurai Sode is a shoulder protection and a part of a traditional Japanese armour (O-Yoroi) used by samurai at early years of feudal Japan. Samurai Sode is similar to European pauldrons and mainly of the lamellar construction giving a better protection to the arm. Samurai Sode could be used in combination with Kote (armoured sleeves) to give a full arm protection. At the later years (from 16th century onward), they usually were matching in style, materials, and design with Kusazuri of the Dou (tassets protecting lower part of the body).

Early samurai Sode made before 15th century were made of seven large (about 30 centimetres wide) lames, it was called O-Sode ("Great Sode") and this patter was common for several centuries. The sode itself was usually made of Kozane (traditional Japanese scales sewn together to the underlying fabric) and fixed to the Watagami (shoulder harness) with long cords on the front and back. Later at the 14th century, a variation with narrower top had first appeared; it was called Hiro Sode ("Broad Sleeve"). And some years later an opposite version with a narrower bottom had appeared as well; this one was called Tsubo Sode ("Jar Sleeve").

Beside of the O-Sode, which was very common in early years, there were several other types of the samurai Sode. The Tosei Sode first appeared in early 16th century and it was smaller and less cumbersome than O-Sode. The Tosei Sode matched the pattern and design of the Kusazuri (tassets of the Japanese cuirass). At the later years (during the Edo period) even smaller samurai Sode were made with larger panels (or even a single panel) that served more for decoration and had some ornaments and other attributes of the owner. Another version of the samurai Sode called "Bishamon Gote" was built in the armoured sleeve itself.

Later samurai Sode often were used together with Kohire, which was a kind of winglets (small wings) attached to the Watagami (shoulder harness) and protruding over the shoulders. The Kohire were used only with Tosei Gusoku (Japanese armours produced after the 16th century) and were made of brigandine, solid plates or several lames laced up together.

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