The following is a comprehensive glossary of all the Japanese terms you will find on this website relating to samurai armor, clothing and accessories crafted by the Iron Mountain Armory.

For quick reference with the names of basic Samurai armor parts, check review the illustration below!

It must be emphasized that the terminology and spelling of, is s not yet been
completely standardized in this field. The terms / interpretations in this glossary are drawn partly from
the scholars, partly from other sources and are more commonly used. They should not be regarded as definitive.

A

Abumi zuri no kawa A leather patch on the inside of tosei do shin guards designed to prevent chafing of the stirrup leathers.
AgemakiA decorative cord which was tied into a special knot or "bow" and hung from rings on an armor. Said to look like a dragonfly, an especially large one was hung on the back as part of the shoulder guard attachments.
Agemaki no kanA swivel ring fitted to the back of a do, from which a large agemaki is hung.
Ago no o benri The protruding studs on the chin of a mengu (facial armor), designed to prevent the helmet cords from slipping forwards.
AibikiShoulder strap fastenings for tosei do
Aida kanamonoDecorative metal ornaments in the centre of a do or sode. Also refers to the metal fittings used to hold the kesho no ita in place.
AkaCrimson Color
Akoda nari bachiA style of helmet which is distinctly swollen at the back and normally without prominent rivets, developed during the Muromachi period.
ArtArt is used as an abbreviation for "artificial"
ASAflax, hemp material
Asa no ha gusariMail in which each round link connects to two others by oval links.
Ase nagashi no anaAn opening on the underside of the chin of a mengu, either a hole or tube, which allows perspiration to drain away

B

BachiThe bowl of a helmet in which the rests upon the head. - Often referenced by Iron Mountain Armory as "Laminated helmet"
Bishamon goteArmoured sleeves that have a small, integral sode covering the upper arm.
Boko no itaThe top plate at the back of a tosei do, to which the watagami are riveted.
BitsuAn armor chest, designed for suits of armor or helmets.
BugyoA Feudal Japanese magistrate. A mid-ranking samurai.
ByoA rivet, either used to hold lames together or a decoration.
Byo gashiraThe head of a rivet, often referring to the shape.
Byo toji yokohagi okegawa dōA tosei dō consisting of horizontal plates, fastened by prominent, often decorated rivets.

C

ChobanA hinge.
Chochin kabuto A helmet of separate horizontal rings that collapses like a folding lantern.
Chokinmetal curving.
ChotsugaiA hinge.
Chotsugai Kugi A hinge pin.

D

Daku AkumaDark demon.
Daisha GuchiAn erect, funnel like tube at the apex of some foreign bachi or those influenced by foreign bachi.
DaimyōA governing warlord of a Provence.
Dangaye DōA tosei do in which different styles of lacing are used in the upper and lower sections.
A cuirass (chest armor), also written "dou" or "doh".
Dō MaruScale armour which wraps around the body and fastens under the right arm (see haramaki).

E

EboshiA tall cap of variable shapes and heights, often curving backwards at the top. Believed to imitate the plume of a particular bird.
Eboshi Nari BachiA helmet made to resemble the shape of an eboshi.
EdoCirca 1603 to 1868. Corresponds with the reign of the Tokugawa shoguns and named after the city of
Edo.
EgawaPrinted leather (hide) often decorated with a pictorial or geometric design.
Emi men A mengu made in the form of a laughing face.
Etchu bo A simple mask that covered only the chin and lower jaw.
Etchu haidate Haidate covered with only a sparse grid of mail and splints
Etchu jikoroA tosei shikoro that falls in a concave curve and terminates in a bottom plate with a straight,
lower edge.
Etchu suneate Splint shin guards without a fabric backing.
Etchu zunari bachi A helmet bowl of simple construction, in which the longitudinal top plate overlaps the brow plate.

F

FukigaeshiThe turn back at the front edge of the upper row or rows of a neck guard. Sometime referenced as "ear" by Iron Mountain Armory.
FukubeA gourd shaped plate applied to armored sleeves.
FukurinAn applied, decorative metal trim around the outer edging of armor plating.
Fuse GumiMulticolored over-sewing used at the outer edging or junction of two different leathers.
Fusube GawaSmoked and/or treated leather with a yellow or brown color.

G

GashiraA samurai, similar to a sergeant or officer in rank.
GattariAn attachment for a sashimono (banner), fastened to the back of dō at the level of the shoulder blades.
Gendai Technically, any item of armor produced after about 1868, but more commonly used to refer to pieces that have been made since the end of WWII. Translates as ‘modern’.
GessanPendant shaped, armored sections attached to the lower edge of a tosei do. Equivalent to kusazuri on lamellar armors.
Gessan Jikoro A tosei shikoro with all but the uppermost plate divided into pendant shaped sections that
hang in part, or entirely independently of each other.
Go-Mai Dō A dō consisting of 5 sections - front, side, back and two half pieces under the right arm, all joined by hinges.
GoshozanA high sided helmet in which the back is higher than the front. Translates to "Rear Mountain Victory".
GumbaiA non-folding style of fan often used to signal troops.
GunsenA folding war fan.
Guru-waA type of protective neck armor.
Gusoku A complete set of armor.
Gusoku bitsu A box for the storage and transportation of armor.
GyoyoA leaf shaped plate used as a shoulder protector or to guard the fastenings of the shoulder straps

H

HachiThe bowl of a helmet in which the rests upon the head. - Often Referenced by Iron Mountain Armory as "Simulated laminated helmet"
HachiganeAlso written "Hachi gane" is an armor that protects the forehead, aka an armored headband.
Hachiman za An alternative name for a tehen no kanamono.
HimoThe cords or straps that are used like a belt to tie the hakama, haidate or kyahan, for example.
Hachi tsuke no ita The uppermost plate or row of scales in a shikoro.
Haidate An apron shaped defense for the thighs.
Haku hatsu men A mengu with a disheveled ago hige, designed to look like an unkempt old man.
Hana A nose, specifically on a mengu.
Hanagami bukuroA pouch attached to the front of a dō or behind one of the gessan.
Hanbo A mengu that covers the chin and lower cheeks only.
HappuriAn upside down "U" shaped armor plate tied to the forehead that extended down onto the cheeks, protecting the outer face.
Haraidate dai A tubular crest holder that is attached to the center of a helmet peak.
Haramaki Armor worn during the Muromachi period which opens down the centre line of the back.
Harikake Lightweight, molded shapes made from lacquered rawhide, asa, papier-mâché, or wood. They can be
grafted to objects such as kabuto bachi in order to transform the item’s.
Harikake bachi A helmet bowel that has been decorated and embellished with a light, decorative
superstructure of wood, asa, paper, leather and lacquer.
Hatomune dōA dō with a medial ridge.
HeichozanA high sided helmet with a relatively flat apex.
HigeA simulated beard. Although they were generally made using animal hair, they could also be etched
into the surface or applied in lacquer.
Hiji ganeThe elbow plate of an armoured sleeve
Hineno jikoro A close fitting neck guard with a lower edge that is shaped to the shoulders.
Hineno zunari bachiA head shaped helmet bowl of simple construction with only five plates, the central
longitudinal plate being overlaid by a brow plate and peak combination.
Hiro sodeA shoulder guard which widens and flattens towards the bottom.
Hishi nui A cross knot used on the lowest row of scales or plate of a kabuto or piece of armor and generally of
contrasting color. - Referenced by Iron Mountain Armory as "Horizontal Accent Lace"
Hishi nui no itaThe lowest row of scales or plates on a piece of armor. - Referenced by Iron Mountain Armory as "Accent Plate"
Hishi nui dōPlates that are merely decorated with cross knots, they are actually riveted (all types).
Hishi toji A cross knot used on any but the lowest row of scales or plates. - Referenced by Iron Mountain Armory as "Main Lace"
Hishi toji dō A type of yoko hagi okegawa dō in which the plates are connected by cross knots.
Hishi toji hotoke dō A smooth faced dō, decorated by cross knots.
Hitai ate A plate tied to the forehead and worn in place of a helmet. They were sometimes made of several
plates that extended over the front of the head.
Hitsu A box for storing armor. Also known as Yoroi Bitsu and Gusoku Bitsu.
HoateA mask without a nose, that covers the face below the eyes.
Hodo haidate Haidate that have the lower part of the armored portion divided into pendant sections.
Hon iyo zane Sections of lamellar armor plating assembled from individual sane and made in the iyo
zane style. Literally translates as ‘real’ iyo zane.
Hon kozaneTrue scales.
HoshiA rivet with a prominent head. Literally translates as ‘star’
Hoshi bachi A helmet bowl with prominent rivets.
Hotoke dōA smooth faced dō

I

Ichi no tareThe top plate of a shikoro.
IgakiOrnamental plates around the base of a helmet bowl.
IkedaSmall raft like plates set in chain mail.
Ikada haidateMail haidate with scattered ikada.
Inome A heart shaped aperture, commonly incorporated into the decorative design of an armor’s component parts. Translates as ‘boar’s eye’.
Iro Color
Iro iro odoshiMulti colored lacing.
Ishime An irregular, rough texture, like the surface of a stone. - This is what Iron Mountain Armory refers to as "Nami".
Ita haidateScale haidate.
Ita monoA solid iron or rawhide lame of armor plating. A single plate.
Ite jikoroA tosei shikoro in which the right fukigaeshi can be removed or folded back for archery.
Iyo-zaneA plate that looks like a wide scale. (Iyozane)
Iyo-zane doA chest armor of over lapping scale plates that wrap around the body and fastens under the right arm.

J

Jinabaori A samurai surcoat worn over armor.
Jingasa a battle helmet, often conical in shape, worn by Feudal Japanese foot soldiers and samurai.

K

Kabuto A style of combat helmet worn by the samurai.
Kabuto BachiA helmet bowl.
Kabuto BitsuA box designed to hold a samurai helmet.
Kabuto no oThe tying cord of a helmet.
KachiA Feudal Japanese foot soldier.
Kaihan suneateSuneate without knee guards.
Kake oA length of braid fastened to the upper edge of a mask that tied it to the head. Also refers to the front tying cord of a sode.
Kake o no anaThe holes near the upper edges of the cheeks on a mengu, used to thread the kake o
through.
Kamakura Circa 1185 to 1333. Named after the city of Kamakura where the shogunate established its seat
of government.
Kami shimoA ceremonial dress of stiffened hemp, worn by samurai during the Edo period.
Kamon Heraldic symbol.
Kara boshiA large rivet with a hollow head.
Kara kozaneScales embossed from the back.
Karuta gane doA folding armor of rectangular plates.
Kasa byoA rivet with a flattened hemispherical head.
Kasa jikoroA hat shaped shikoro that is almost horizontal. Common on Muromachi helmets.
Kasa jirushi no kan A ring at the back of a helmet, designed to carry a small identification flag or, on later helmets, an agemaki bow.
Kashira dateA crest mounted on the top of a helmet.
Katahagi nui doA do modelled to resemble a torso, with left shoulder and breast uncovered.
Katchu shiArmour maker, also know as yoroi shi. The highest skilled makers were graded as follows:
* Chu i - good
* Jo i - very good
* Jo jo i - excellent
* Sai jo i - superb
Kawa fukurinA narrow band of leather used as an edge trim.
Kawa koshi tsukeA leather belt used to attach a gessan to a do, usually held into place with leather or silk ties.
Kawa odoshiLeather lacing.
Kawa shikiA rawhide thong to which iyozane are laced to hold them in rows.
Kawa zutsumi doA do covered with a sheet of leather. Also known as a "Gawa Do"
Kawari bachiA helmet bowl of unconventional shape.
Kawari haidateHaidate of s-shaped scales that are overlapped like roof tiles.
Kawari kabutoA kawari bachi fitted with a shikoro to form a complete kabuto.
Kebiki odoshiClosely spaced lacing, also known as "full lacing".
KenA term used to describe the number of tate hagi no ita (plates) used to make a hachi.
Kikko A type of brigandine consisting of small hexagonal plates quilted between layers of fabric.
Kikko doA do made of hexagonal plates quilted between layers of cloth.
Kikko ganeSmall hexagonal pieces of iron or rawhide, sewn to or between layers of cloth to create a form of brigandine covering.
Kikko gane doA folding do made from hexagonal plates.
Kiri take nariA helmet shape like a short length of bamboo.
Kiritsuke iyo zaneIyo zane simulated by lacquer or embossing to a solid plate.
Kiritsuke ko zaneKo zane simulated by lacquer or embossing to a solid plate.
Kiwame fudaA certificate attributing the authorship of an armor to a particular maker.
Kobakama Abbreviated trousers worn under tosei do armor.
Kobakama jitateThigh armor that is sown onto a pair of trousers.
Koberi gawaNarrow bands of e-gawa that were used to trim the outer edges of larger surface areas of the armor.
Ko boshiSmall bullet tip shaped rivets.
Ko boshi bachiA helmet bowl with small, standing, external rivets.
Kogai kanamonoA decorative plate and ring combination attached to the rear edge of a shoulder guard, to which the rear most tying cord is fastened.
KogakeArmor for the feet.
KohazeA toggle.
Kohire Winglets connected to the watagami of a do.
Ko manju jikoroA small rounded neck guard.
Komori tsukeAn intermediate band of leather used to connect a tare to a mengu.
Koseizan A high sided helmet, usually flat on top, whereby the profile is taller than the hemisphere. Translates as ‘high sided mountain’.
Koshi gusari Mail that has rectangular spaces to increase flexibility, especially on the inside of the elbow.
KoteAn armored sleeve.
Ko-zaneA small narrow plate shaped like a scale.
Ko zane gashiraThe top edge of an iyo zane, cut to resemble two ko zane.
Kuchi higeA simulated mustache. Although they were generally made using animal hair, they could also be etched into the surface, or applied in lacquer.
Kuro urushi nuriA black lacquer finish. Iron Mountain Armory refers to this as "Black Glossy"
Kusari Iron mail, often butted mail.
Kusari doA mail and plate do.
Kusari do maruA mail and plate do maru.
Kusari goteA mail and plate kote.
Kusari haidate A mail and plate haidate.
Kusari haramakiA mail and plate haramaki.
Kusari suneateA mail and plate suneate.
KusazuriSkirt-like plates attached to the bottom of a cuirass. 7-plates kusazuri is commonly known. (minimum of 4-plates, more than 10-plates kusazuri are made.)
Kusugai doYokohagi okegawa do in which the plates are joined by a variety of staples.
Kutsu Stiff boots or shoes of fur.
KuwagataFlat, stylized horns or antlers, worn as a frontal crest.
Kuwagata daiA shallow, u-shaped holder on the tsuke mabizashi of a helmet bowl, designed to mount and display a pair of kuwagata.
Kyahan Also written "Kaihan" are cloth leggings that wrap around the shin to hold the pant leg to prevent snagging of underbrush and/or while wearing suneate.
Kyahan suneateSuneate without knee guards.
Kyubi no itaDefense for the left armpit, worn with o yoroi.
KyubiA plate which protects the left chest area of O-yoroi.

L

LamellarLayered armor plates. Often the plates are overlapping like roof shingles.

M

MabizashiThe peak of a helmet.
Machi ukeThe socket at the waist on the back of a do, into which the sashimono assembly is fitted.
Maedate A crest or decorative fitting mounted on the front of a helmet.
Maki e doA do decorated with a lacquered design or picture.
Manchira A type of padded vest with kikko plating sewn between the material layers.
Manju waA short, armored waistcoat worn beneath an armor to protect the armpits and upper chest.
Maro doA tosei version of the do maru, differing from the original versions of the armor in that they have an extra row of scales in the naka gawa.
Maru bachiSee daienzan bachi.
Maru do yoroiA hybrid armor between an o yoroi and a do maru.
MayuSimulated eyebrows.
MeiThe signature of a master katchu shi, engraved or lacquered on an item of armor that they, or one of their protégé had produced. Translates as ‘name’.
Mei no anaA slit in the lining of a helmet through which the signature can be read.
MenMask.
MenguFace armor.
Men no shita menA face mask covering the face and nose from below the level of the eyes. Could also be referred to as men no shita bo (face below the eyes).
Menpo An alternative and abbreviated term for men no shita men.
Miage shiwa Simulated forehead wrinkles.
Midzu nomi no oA cord that secures the sode to the age maki bow of a do from the kogai kanamono.
MimiPurely decorative ear shaped plates present on some mengu.
Mimi itoBraid around the outer edges of a piece of armor, often variegated.
Mimi no anaThe small holes in the mimi that simulate the opening of the ear canal.
MinoA cape woven from palm worn over armor, designed to protect armor from the elements.
Mizu nomi no oCord attached to the rear edge of a sode.
Mogami doA do of horizontal plates, each of which is articulated by separate hinges.
MomenCotton cloth.
Momonari bachiA pointed helmet that has a medial flange inspired by a European cabasset.
Muku boshiA rivet with a narrow pointed head.
Muna ita The uppermost plate on the front of a do.
Muna itaThe uppermost plate on the front of a do.
Muna tori hotoke doA smooth faced do with a laced top section.
Muna zuri no itaThe lowermost lame of a tare. Translates as ‘chest sliding plate’. Refereed to as "Tare Accent Plate" by Iron Mountain Armory.
MuromachiCirca 1333 to 1573. Corresponds with the reign of the Ashikaga shoguns.

N

Namazu o kabutoA tall, laterally flattened helmet with a rounded profile, said to resemble the tail of a catfish.
NambokuchoCirca 1336 to 1392. Corresponds with the conflicts between the northern and southern branches of the imperial court to establish themselves as the legitimate line.
Nami gataAn item made with an undulating wave like shape.
Nanban gusariInternational style mail in which each link is meshed with four others.
Nanban kabutoA helmet of European manufacture, or one inspired by a European prototype.
Nanban kiri ganeSmall , decorative, cut metal pieces applied to the surface of an armor that was influenced by foreign designs and made in non-traditional Japanese shapes.
Nanban yoroiA foreign made piece of armor.
Nawame fukurinA roped fukurin copying the edging of European armours.
Neri gawaA single layer of rawhide, generally horse or ox hide, or several layers secured together with adhesives.
NibeAnimal glue
Ni-mai do(Nimai) A do in two parts, joined by a hinge under the left arm.
Nio doA do modelled to represent the human torso.
Nishiki Brocade.
NodowaA bib like defense to protect the throat and upper chest, consisting of of a u-shaped plate with two or three curved rows of scales attached to it.
Nuinobe doA sugake laced ni mai do, made of iyo zane.

O

ObiA belt or sash.
O boshiA rivet made with an over-sized head, used for decorative purposes.
Oda goteKote with gourd shaped plates applied over the forearm and upper arm.
Oda haidateHaidate of mail, with ikeda and knee plates resembling those at the elbow of oda gote.
Oda yori gane, or YadomeA pair of erect flanges that fasten diagonally across the cheeks on some examples of mengu.
Oda yori kugiA pair of erect posts fitted to either side of the lower jaw of a mengu, used to anchor the shinobi no o of a kabuto when tying the helmet in place.
Oda yori no kanA pair of metal rings attached to both cheeks of a mengu, through which the shinobi no o (helmet rope) of a kabuto are threaded when tying the helmet in place.
Oda yori ore kugiA pair of sturdy l-shaped posts set into both cheeks of a mengu, used to anchor the shinobi no o of a kabuto when tying the helmet in place.
Odoshi geLacing material, silk, leather, hemp or cotton twill.
Okashi gusokuArmor issued to low a ranking soldier, usually of low quality. Refereed to as "Kachi Class" by Iron Mountain Armory.
Oki tenugui bachiA helmet bowl with almost vertical sides and top plates which are extended rearwards, beyond the back of the bowl.
Omodaka doA do with a metal ridge.
Oni damari no itaThe turned out upper edge of the muna ita, designed to deflect spear or sword thrusts.
Oni gashiraAn item with a demon like face or facade.
Ori kugiA hook on the cheek of a mengu, around which the helmet cord is fastened.
O sodeA large, rectangular sode.
O tateage suneateShin guards with large standing plate defenses for the knees.
O yoroiA lamellar armour that has a separate defense for the right side of the body, classic of the Heian period.

P

Q

R

Renjaku doA tosei do fitted with internal suspensory cords.
Ressei menA mengu with an aggressive looking expression and prominent facial wrinkles.
Ressei men no shita boThe most typical type of men no shita men, made in the ressei style.
Roku mai doA tosei do with five hinges that is divisible into six sections.
RoninA samurai warrior without a master.
Ryo takahimoA tosei do in either two or six sections, with ties at each side of the body.
Ryubu menA mengu with a calm, noble expression devoid of any facial wrinkles.

S

Sabi nuriA lacquered surface imitating rusty iron. Referred to as "Brown Suna" by Iron Mountain Armory.
Saihai(Sai Hai) A commander’s baton hung with a tassel of hair, leather or paper.
Sai han no kanA ring on the right breast of a tosei do.
Saiga bachi A type of multi plate helmet made in the distinctive Saiga style. The term can refer to any bowl made in Saiga but is most commonly used in relation to a helmet bowl topped by a number of large chrysanthemum shaped plates.
SaneAn individual scale of either iron or rawhide, from which lamellar armour was made.
Sane itaA lame assembled from individual sane bound together.
San ju hachi kenUsed in conjunction with other terms to describe a hachi that has been assembled from 38 tate hagi no ita.
San ju ni kenUsed in conjunction with other terms to describe a hachi that has been assembled from 32 tate hagi no ita.
SanguThe term for the three samurai armor parts / components that protected the extremities of the samurai class of feudal Japan. The Sangu armor included the kote, haidate and suneate.
Sanko no byoDome headed rivets that attach the peak to the bowl of a hachi.
Saru boA v-shaped hanbo with indented cheeks that partially frame the upper outline of the mouth. Translates as ‘monkey cheek’.
Sasa heriLeather or braid edging around the fabric portion of an armor.
Sasa mayuA type of simulated mayu with sharp pointed features that resemble the shape of bamboo leaves. Translates as ‘bamboo leaf eyebrow’.
SashimonoAn ornamental device attached to the back of an armour, often a flag.
Sashimono dome no anaSmall holes in a haraidate dai in which to insert pins that lock a maedate in position when the latter is mounted on a kabuto. These often go from side to side. See also, hirame.
Sashinuki goteA pair of kote that form part of a small jacket.
Sendai doAn alternative name for a yukinoshita do.
Sengoku Circa 1467 to 1573. Corresponds with a century or so, of intense civil war that raged almost continuously throughout Japan’s feudal provinces during the second half
ShikoroThe neck guard of a helmet.
Shino A splint or long narrow strip of metal plating.
Shinobi no oA helmet cord.
Shino goteKote with splints over the forearm, sometimes connected by mail.
Shino haidateHaidate that consist of splints connected by mail.
Shino suneateShin guards that consist of splints connected by mail.
ShishiA mythical Japanese “lion-dog” creature, representations of which, are often found to be incorporated into fabrics and items of armor.
ShitagiA shirt like garment worn under armor.
Shiwa Simulated facial wrinkles.
SodeA shoulder guard.
Sode tsuke no oThe fastening cord of a shoulder guard.
So fukurinDecorative moldings that fit over the suji tate of a hachi, anchored in place by the tehen no kanamono on the top of the helmet and by the higaki around its lower rim.
So gusariMail in which each circular link is connected to four others, ie the normal Japanese construction.
Somen
(So-men) A mask that covers the entire face from the top of the forehead to the underside of the chin.
SueomonAn heraldic crest applied to the surface of a fukigaeshi.
Sugake odoshiA lacing technique in which pairs of laces are threaded vertically, up a row of scales and cross knotted before being connected to another section. Translates as ‘simple hang’.
SujiA rib or flange.
Suji bachiA multi plate helmet in which the rivets are countersunk, leaving the flanged edges of the plates prominent.
Suji tateAn erect flange, fitted along the vertical edge of a tate hagi no ita at a 90-degree angle to the facing surface of the plate.
Suji tate bachiA conventional hachi made using tate hagi no ita with a suji tate.
Sumi zukin nari bachiA type of kawari bachi made to resemble a cloth tied around the head whereby the loose end lies towards the rear of the head.
SuneateA shin armor / guard worn by samurai.
Suso no itaA general term for the lower most lame on a item of armour such as a shikoro, sode or tare. The lower lame of a shikoro is generally referred to as the kata zuri no ita. Reffered to as the "BOTTOM / ACCENT PLATE" by Iron Mountain Armory.

T

Tabitraditional Japanese socks dating back to the 15th century. Commonly ankle-high and with a separation between the big toe and other toes, they are worn by both men and women with zori, geta, and other traditional thonged footwear.
Tachi doA do sufficiently long in the body to rest on the hips.
Tama buchiA metal cylinder with a rounded edge at the top and tabs at the bottom that press outward, on the inside of the hachi (bowl) to hold it in place. The tama buchi slides down through the tehen no kanamono, securing them into place.
Tameshi gusokuArmour showing the marks of bullets used to test its defensive quality.
TankoEarly plate armour of the Yamamoto period.
TareThe throat guard to a mask. Also a protective apron, found for example, on kusari do.
Tataki nuriA unique lacquer finish that features a raised relief rippled texture. Reffered to as "UZUMAKI" by Iron Mountain Armory.
Tatami doA folding do.
Tate hagi no itaThe vertical plating used to create the hachi-bachi.
Tate hagi okegawa doA tosei do made of vertical plates.
TehenThe hole in the crown of a helmet bowl.
Tehen no kanamonoAn ornamental metal disc, made up of one or more plate that are stacked on top of each other over the tehen (hole in the top center of the helmet) and anchored in place by the tama buchi. Also known as "Hachiman za".
TekkoA plate covering the back of the hand which forms part of the kote.
TenkokuzanA high sided helmet in which the top dips in the area of the tehen.
Tenugui no kan The ring on the left breast of a tosei do.
TetsuIron.
Tetsu sabijiA lacquer effect that simulates rusty iron. Referenced to as "TETSU NAMI" by Iron Mountain Armory.
Tokoro kebiki odoshiClosely spaced lacing that is strung in channeled rows, with open vertical breaks between the laced areas that create an alternating pattern of laced and unlaced strips.
Toppai bachiA pointed helmet bowl. Those with convex sides are called shii nari or ‘acorn shaped’.
Tosei doA ‘modern’ do that evolved during the sixteenth century.
Tosei gusokuA ‘modern’ armor fabricated from the late fifteenth century onward.
Tosei sodeA small ‘modern’ sode hanging from the fastenings of the kote.
Tsubame boA v-shaped hanbo that covers the cheeks and lower jaw.
Tsubo sodeA sode that is curved towards the arm and narrows towards the bottom.
Tsuru no kubiA fitting used to mount a maedate to a haraidate dai of a kabuto. Translates as ‘crane’s neck’.
Tsutsu goteKote in which the plates over the forearm are hinged or sewn to each other.
Tsutsu suneateShin guards in which three or more plates hinged or sewn together.
Tsuyu otoshi no kudaAn extended pipe-like fitting set into the underside of the chin on face mask which allows perspiration to drain away. A variation on the ase nagashi no ana.

U

Uchi dashi doA tosei do decorated by embossing.
Uchi dashi mayu Embossed eyebrows on a kabuto or so men.
Ue baSimulated rows of teeth in the kuchi of a mengu.
Ue geSimulated areas of hair on an item of armor such as a mengu.
UkebariHelmet lining.
Uke oA cord that secures the top of a sode to an age maki bow on a do.
Uke zutsuA wooden socket into which the sashimono pole is fitted.
UrushiLacquer.
Urushi nuriApplied lacquer.
Ushiro dateA crest fitted to the back of a helmet.
Uwa obiOuter sash or belt. Refereed to as "SARASHI" by Iron Mountain Armory.
UzumakiA ripple.

W

WaidateA piece of armor that forms part of an o yoroi and guards the right side of the body.
Waka itaPlates attached to the upper edge of the naka gawa, under the arms.
WakibikiAn arm pit guard, often crafted from kikko or tatami style armor.
Waki dateCrests or similar decorative features fitted to the sides of a helmet.
Waki date tsunomotoErect prongs fitted to both the left and right sides of a helmet, upon which to mount waki date.
Warajisandals made from straw rope that in the past were the standard footwear of the common people in Japan. Waraji were also worn by the samurai class and foot soldiers during the feudal era of Japan.
WashiJapanese paper, generally made from the bark fibre of gampi trees but also from bamboo, hemp, rice and wheat.
WatagamiThe shoulder straps of an armor.

X

Y

Yokohagi okegawa doA tosei do made from horizontal plates.
YoroiA term for armor worn by samurai.
Yoroi hitatareA specific style of clothing often made from a brocade, worn under armor.
Yukinoshita doA go mai do of solid plates with external hinges popular in Sendai.

Z

Zenshozan A high sided helmet that is higher at the front than the back.
Zu dateA crest or other form of decorative feature fitted to the apex of a helmet (see also kashira date).
ZukinAn armored hood often made with plate armor connected by chain-mail.
Zukin nari kabutoA type of oki tenugui kabuto.
Zu nari bachiA head shaped helmet bowl, generally assembled from five plates, with a distinctive longitudinal top plate that extends front to back over the center of the head.

Reference: “The Samurai Armour Glossary” by Ian Bottomley and David Thatcher