Japanese Wakibiki

By Crusader1307

Worn over the shoulders, Wakibiki was a form of cloth and leather underarmor. Used to form a barrier between the upper shoulder and portion of chest armor, a Samurai placed this component in such a way so as to “cushion” his upper body. The Wakibiki also served as basic (and simple) under armor protection (in the event of a sword or pole arm slash). They were tied into place. They developed (along with Japanese Armor) – from the 9th Century onward.