From:
murphymurphyjohn@...
>Subject: Armor: armpit Re:From Leprechaun Jack Murphy.
>
>While I hold no brief as an expert in armour, offhand it seems that the
>armourers of Western Europe were much more concerned with the articulation of
>their armor than those in Japan.
>
??? I agree with one of these points.
>Whether Gothic or Maximilian, German or Italian
>or French, the armourers seemed to take more care in what we would call the
>ergonomics of armor than did their contemporaries in Japan.
>
Since Japanese armor seems highly flexible, with a large amount of
adjustment, they obviously thought that fit was important. I think that
any of the reenacting types that have used reproductions of both
probably don't feel much difference in that. Also I don't think it would
be possible in summer to fight in Japan using European armor. You would
die from the heat.
>If one studies
>merely the arm defenses of both knight and samurai...not getting into the
>technical terms French or Japanese..it seems apparent (at least to me) that there
>was more technical sophistication, including armpit armor, in the armor shops
>of Augsburg than in Sakai.
>
I really doubt that, I suspect the craftsmen built the best of what was
wanted. The Japanese were fine workers of metal in period.
> Of course, the question arises also did Japan have
>the mineral resources to produce all the steel armor that Europe had?
>
No, but I don't think they would have ever used full plate because of
thier climate. Trained knights swooned and died in armor in 60-70 degree
weather, what would happen at 95+?
> From: "Josh Wilson" <lordwilson@...>
>
>"Of course, the question arises also did Japan have
>the mineral resources to produce all the steel armor that Europe had? Jack"
>
>Nope.. thats why they used iron sparingly in their armour and for the most part it was made out of leather.. the iron they had went towards swords...
>
>
>
While leather was used in armor, one hell of a lot of iron was used as
well. Why not look at Anthony Bryant's site on the subject? It will
serve as a great intro to the subject, actually more than intro! and you
can find out how it's really made.
http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/katchu/0.Katchu.html
> From: "Anthony J. Bryant" <ajbryant@...>
>
>
>Actually, that's not true. The vast majority of armours -- especially post 1500
>-- were made entirely of metal. Armour-grade leather was more problematic than
>armour-grade iron.
>
>
>
The guru speaks but does not pass on the site of all wisdom ;)
Jim Eckman