Japanese Sode Plating

By Crusader1307

Sode Plating was used to protect 14th Century Samurai Warriors shoulders and upper arms. These component pieces were attached to The Dou (or breastplate), at the top. They were large (sometimes formed to the body). Made by the same process as Kusazuri Plating, they where iron interconnecting rings (often silk sewn onto layers of softened leather (for comfort). Other variations of The Sode resembled solid plating (overlaped). A comparable “modern” version would be American Football protective plating. These components had to be made to withstand blows from the many varieties of Japanese Swords and related Pole Arms.