SW001 Western Army ‘Ashigaru’ Archer Reaching for An Arrow’

     This Ashigaru Archer wears the typical body armour of a Japanese foot soldier of this feudal period.  Relatively inexpensive to produce it consisted of a simple ‘cuirass’ of lacquered metal to cover the chest and back areas.  Cloth sleeves were padded with integral splints of the same metal or hardened bamboo sewn on top or the outside of the garment.
           Below the waist a split armoured apron surrounded the lower body protecting the soldier’s private parts, thighs and backside.  Lower down were the loose fitting leggings complete with metal or bamboo shin guards.
           One of the most striking features of Japanese armour of this era was the ‘Sashimono’, a long banner worn from a cross bar and pole arrangement attached to the back of some Ashigaru’s armour.  These banners were often marked with the family crest or symbol of the particular commander or Samurai leading that unit.