Kiritsuke Kozane Okegawa Do was a lamellae style armor, commonly used amongst high-ranking samurai warriors and Daimyo of the mid 16th century. It continued to be used into the late Edo Era. The chest plate style of Kiritsuke-Kozane was a new and more economical version “hon kozane” (true scale), which were individual narrow scale plates laced together, giving a flexible style of armor that could wrap around the warrior.  The kiritsuke-Kozane simulates the look of kozane but is made from long, broad strips (ita-mono) of iron or steel plates, known as “sane-ita”, or “itazane”, laced together in kebiki-odoshi style lacing (also referred to as “full lacing”),  which is the same fashion of traditional kozane, giving the same look without the extra cost (typically triple the price).  This also made the armor easier to maintain and more durable in combat.  The full name for this particular do is: “Kiritsuke Kozane Kebiki Odoshi Gendai Okegawa Ni-Mai-Do”.

Features:  Traditional design. Gashira Class.

• Full sized and fully functional
• Various paint, cotton odoshi, accessory, customization and sizing options available
• Optional kawa koshi tsuke (removable gasen / kusazuri)
• Removable Tate-Eri

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Ordering Tips: Iron Mountain Armory recommend that you order one size larger AND one size shorter than the size required, as the armor is close fitting.  The armor can close into itself if too big, but will be a little uncomfortable if fitted too tall.  If your planning on wearing a yoroi hitatar or a kikko gane do under your armor, we suggest adding 10 cm to your chest size when ordering.  The Okegawa-Do features a pin hinge under the left armpit, which can be removed to make it a traditional Ni-Mai Do, after which you can attach a through the hinge.

To see the class differences, please view Kachi Vs. Gashira.

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References:  “Samurai Armour: Volume I: The Japanese Cuirass” by Trevor Absolon  /  “Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868″ by Kazutoshi Harada, Metropolitan Museum of Art