Yoroi Hitatare
(Under Armor Clothing)

Yoroi Hitatare are the traditional bakama (pant / hakama with leggings), hakama-shita (gi / kimono style shirt) and juban shitagi (under shirt) set that was the most common clothing style worn by Samurai under their armor from the late Heian Period through Sengoku Era of Japan (1050 – 1573 A.D.). The Yoroi Hitatare is basically version of the hakama and kimono which are ideal for wearing under armor. Similar to the Traditional Hitatare, which was more commonly worn without armor, the Yoroi Hitatare features a hakama-shita top and legs that taper in at the knee with joined kyahan (leggings) making them Tattsuke-Bakama (Samurai pants). These small changes made the Yoroi Hitatare more comfortable to wear with armor. Some samurai would often tuck the right sleeve into their pants, so as not to hinder their arm movement when drawing the yumi (samurai long bow).  

Although less formal, the yoroi hitatare was sometimes worn in an official capacity and in the Edo Era may have been adorned with a kataginu (sleeveless jacket with exaggerated shoulders). The color of the linen would often denote the rank of the samurai and a brocade was customarily worn only by Daimyo, taisho (generals) or higher ranking retainers.  When not wearing armor, samurai would often wear Traditional Hitatare which differ slightly from the Yoroi Hitatare.  Samurai would also wear tabi (socks) or Waraji-Gake (cloth sandal socks) as well.  Our samurai clothing and accessories are featured in the docudrama “Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan” by Netflix & the Smithsonian Channel.

How to wear traditional bakama for battle and budo training.  They are secured around the waist by four himo (straps); two longer himo attached on either side of the front of the garment, and two shorter himo attached on either side of the rear. Front himo are wrapped around the back and tied in front, under the pant.  The rear himo are then wrapped through / around the front himo, at the waist, and tied under the hakama in the front.  When tied in this manner the himo are not visible, nor can they be pulled or snagged during combat or training.

Ordering Options: When selecting Era Style: Sengoku / Muromachi or Edo era will provide you with fabric options which were more common during either era.  When you Add a Mon to your order, you will be given the option to select between one of our standard mon options or to send us your own custom mon design. You can do this by replying to your order confirmation email with your mon and we will add it to your order details for you.  If you select the Printed Mon option, we will select the style of print best suited for your order, which can be traditional or heat transfer sticker. This is because some material / colors work better with different printed methods.

Features: Traditional Yoroi Hitatare

• Our Yoroi Hitatare is a 3 part set, which includes a narrow sleeved tattsuke-bakama, hakama-shita and cotton juban shitagi (cotton undershirt).  
• Optional materials and sizing is available.   
• Optional materials are Japanese linen or brocade.  
• 100% silk is available upon request for additional $300 cost.  

Accessories:

• Hikitate Eboshi – Add a traditional cloth hat to your order, traditionally worn by Samurai
• Sarashi Belt – A traditional long cotton belt, used by Samurai to to secure their katana
• Waraji Sandals – Bamboo straw sandals commonly used by samurai
• Waraji-Gake – Traditional type of Japanese sock that is to be worn together with the Waraji sandals
• Tabi Socks – Two toe section sock for use with sandals
• Yugake – Traditional samurai gloves