SALE – Haidate

Description

Haidate – Tetsu Nami & Black Lace – Like New – Sold As Seen.

The Haidate (thigh shields) are one of the three Sangu, principle parts of the armor, that protected the extremities of the samurai of Feudal Japan.  These thigh guards started to become more common towards the mid Muromachi Period (~1450), when samurai started fighting more on foot than horseback.  However many warriors of this period found it to be too cumbersome and uncomfortable, so they disdained using the haidate, preferring freedom of movement and speed.  However as they became more of a necessity, the haidate started to develop, increasing the comfort by adding leg straps to the back. A leather loop was also added at the front center of the haidate so it could attach to the do, or tied around the shoulders and supported like suspenders.   Toward the end of the Sengoku Period, padding was added to the outer edges to help protect against glancing blows.

Additional information