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“Classic Samurai” Feudal Japanese Warrior

My conception into the leatherworking world began with the creation of the “Classic Samurai”. Ever since I can remember, the Samurai have fascinated me, almost more than any other culture. Their unwavering moral dignity has always had great appeal to me personally. The term “Samurai” in fact, means to serve. The Samurai were strict servants of the emperor. The entire code of existence for the Samurai was laconically transformed into seven simple rules. (GI) Honesty and Justice. (YU) Heroic Courage. (JIN) Compassion. (REI) Right Action, Courtesy. (MAKOTO) Truthfulness. (MEYIO) Honor and Glory. (CHUUGI) Duty and Loyalty. These seven rules spread across Japan; eventually becoming known as “Bushido”. These iron clad servants of the emperor lived and died, rarely ever compromising their beliefs’ in this single principal. Commitment to every task set forth to accomplish was unfaltering for completion is an unspoken vow to their soul. To break a vow would disgrace and dishonor their family resulting in punishment, exile, and if the offence was great, “Seppuku“. Seppuku was the act of ritualistically ending your own life by cutting one self across the waist and allowing your bowels to freely fall to the ground. The Samurai would then meditate and reflect on their dishonor as they gradually bled to death. The Samurai believed, that with that final act, they were able to regain their families honor and dignity as well as their own.

As I constructed this armor, I had to take into consideration the mentality of the men that were originally meant to wear them. Masters in the art of war, the Samurai believed from the moment of their birth, that their entire life was to revolve around dieing with honor. The discipline of the Samurai is unparalleled to any other. They displayed an artful perfection in everything that they set forth to accomplish. I had visualized a deep burgundy armor with a stern and masculine appeal. Japanese culturally themed artwork is scattered throughout the entire piece. A Japanese ghost, commonly referred to as a Demon (ONI), is carved into the mid section of this Samurai Warrior. Wind formations accent the waist around the Demon as if to almost hide its evil.

The chest and back plates have been carved into the faces of two of these “ONI”. A majority of the leather sections laced to the armor have been carved into plates accentuating areas of depth. Both the grieves and the bracers have been carved with a similar style to allow the armor itself to achieve a traditional flow and direction. Dragons decorate each area of armor (Grieves, bracers, skirt, shoulder sections and kabuto) almost as a stamp of approval for the Samurais craftsmanship.

Last but not least. The intimidating helmet (Kabuto) along with its facemask (Mengu), are the two most important symbols that complete a Samurais ensemble. The style of “mengu” I chose to work with was the classic “Menpo”. Usually a fierce scowl was forged into the face of every Samurai’s armor. The Kabuto is complete 12oz leather hand carved with elegant cording weaving together the many layers of armor. Deep red cording along with onyx stones were the perfect finisher for this “Classic Samurai”. This was my first Japanese inspired suit of armor but it certainly won’t be my last. I love the culture in which the Samurai were essentially molded by, and I will continue to honor their culture through my work.

Description
“Classic Samurai” Feudal Japanese Warrior

My conception into the leatherworking world began with the creation of the “Classic Samurai”. Ever since I can remember, the Samurai have fascinated me, almost more than any other culture. Their unwavering moral dignity has always had great appeal to me personally. The term “Samurai” in fact, means to serve. The Samurai were strict servants of the emperor. The entire code of existence for the Samurai was laconically transformed into seven simple rules. (GI) Honesty and Justice. (YU) Heroic Courage. (JIN) Compassion. (REI) Right Action, Courtesy. (MAKOTO) Truthfulness. (MEYIO) Honor and Glory. (CHUUGI) Duty and Loyalty. These seven rules spread across Japan; eventually becoming known as “Bushido”. These iron clad servants of the emperor lived and died, rarely ever compromising their beliefs’ in this single principal. Commitment to every task set forth to accomplish was unfaltering for completion is an unspoken vow to their soul. To break a vow would disgrace and dishonor their family resulting in punishment, exile, and if the offence was great, “Seppuku“. Seppuku was the act of ritualistically ending your own life by cutting one self across the waist and allowing your bowels to freely fall to the ground. The Samurai would then meditate and reflect on their dishonor as they gradually bled to death. The Samurai believed, that with that final act, they were able to regain their families honor and dignity as well as their own.

As I constructed this armor, I had to take into consideration the mentality of the men that were originally meant to wear them. Masters in the art of war, the Samurai believed from the moment of their birth, that their entire life was to revolve around dieing with honor. The discipline of the Samurai is unparalleled to any other. They displayed an artful perfection in everything that they set forth to accomplish. I had visualized a deep burgundy armor with a stern and masculine appeal. Japanese culturally themed artwork is scattered throughout the entire piece. A Japanese ghost, commonly referred to as a Demon (ONI), is carved into the mid section of this Samurai Warrior. Wind formations accent the waist around the Demon as if to almost hide its evil.

The chest and back plates have been carved into the faces of two of these “ONI”. A majority of the leather sections laced to the armor have been carved into plates accentuating areas of depth. Both the grieves and the bracers have been carved with a similar style to allow the armor itself to achieve a traditional flow and direction. Dragons decorate each area of armor (Grieves, bracers, skirt, shoulder sections and kabuto) almost as a stamp of approval for the Samurais craftsmanship.

Last but not least. The intimidating helmet (Kabuto) along with its facemask (Mengu), are the two most important symbols that complete a Samurais ensemble. The style of “mengu” I chose to work with was the classic “Menpo”. Usually a fierce scowl was forged into the face of every Samurai’s armor. The Kabuto is complete 12oz leather hand carved with elegant cording weaving together the many layers of armor. Deep red cording along with onyx stones were the perfect finisher for this “Classic Samurai”. This was my first Japanese inspired suit of armor but it certainly won’t be my last. I love the culture in which the Samurai were essentially molded by, and I will continue to honor their culture through my work.