Yokohagi Okegawa Do
Gashira Class

The Yokohagi Okegawa Dō  is one of the most common 16th-century styles of samurai armor used by high ranking samurai and ashigaru (foot soldiers) alike. The Dō  (breastplate or cuirass) is one of the major components of Japanese armor worn by the samurai class and ashigaru (foot soldiers) of Feudal Japan.  The Dō was considered the most essential part of armor and might be the only piece of armor worn by a low ranking samurai or ashigaru when going into battle.   

As samurai armor advanced, the Nimai (Ni-mai) style of Dō  (2 piece) became the most common style, particularly the “Okegawa-Dō ” (tub-sided) which was made from riveted lamelle.  The simplicity in design, comfort, easy maintenance and very reliable in battle, made this style of Dō  the most common Dō  of ashigaru and high ranking samurai alike.  Although there are several styles of Okegawa-Do, the most common were crafted from 12 individual lames (front + back) and riveted together.   The more common was known as Yokohagi Okegawa-Do which featured a horizontal plate design.

This style of Nimai Do features smoothed countersunk rivets which were used to fasten the lamellae (plating) together creating a smooth finish.  Yokohagi is a horizontal plate design.  Okegawa (tub sided) is a ni-mai (2 section) Do (chest armor) joined together with a hinge, making a “clam shell” style of armor.  The traditional name for this style of Do is: “Yokohagi Okegawa Gendai Ni-mai-do”

This Gashira Class Do features a traditional pin hinge under the left armpit, which can be removed, after with an attached cord can be adjusted, to make a simple ni-mai-do, to better accommodate those with a larger or smaller chest.  Some of the ita-mono may utilize some spot welding to strengthen the design for safety, maintenance and economic reasons. Removable Tate-Eri (shoulder padding with kikko plating) for added comfort and protection.

Features:  Traditional Gashira class – Tosei Yokohagi Okegawa Do

• Full sized and fully functional.
• Paint, mon, cotton odoshi, accessory, customization and sizing options available.   
• Optional kawa koshi tsuke (removable gasen / kusazuri).  Removable Tate-Eri.

CHEST MONS: This Samurai Do can be ordered with a Mon painted onto the front plate. For an extra fee, you can select one from our list of Standard Mon’s, or have your own mon/logo applied for an additional fee.

To have your own Mon painted: #1:  Select the “Custom Mon” option. #2: Complete the purchase through our Shopping Cart. #3: Send a high quality image of the Mon / Logo to the confirmation email you receive from us.

Note: We hand-paint these Mon’s, and they can only be simple “Clip-Art” style designs in a single color. If you would like a Mon but select a “Suna” type paint color, your Mon image may turn out blurry due to the paint texture.

Ordering Tips: Iron Mountain Armory recommends that you order one size larger AND, in most cases we suggest one size shorter than the size required, it is better to err on the small side than over-sized. The armor is close fitting.  It can close into itself if too big, or be a little uncomfortable if fitted too tall. If you’re planning on wearing a yoroi hitatari or a kikko gane do under the armor, we suggest adding 6 cm to your chest size when ordering.  The Okegawa-Do features a pin hinge under the left armpit, which can be removed and a cord attached to make it a traditional Ni-Mai style Do.

To see the class differences, please view Kachi Vs. Gashira.

References:  “Samurai Armour: Volume I: The Japanese Cuirass” by Trevor Absolon  /  “Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868″ by Kazutoshi Harada, Metropolitan Museum of Art