Underneath their formidable armor, Japanese samurai wore specific layers of clothing to provide comfort, manage temperature, and potentially offer a base layer of protection or facilitate movement.
Garments Worn Beneath Samurai Armor
Based on the provided reference, the clothing worn directly beneath the samurai's armor consisted of multiple layers:
- An innermost one-piece baggy garment: This served as the primary layer against the skin.
- A kimono: Worn on top of the one-piece garment, the reference describes this as a "T-shaped, wrapped-front clothing".
- Loose pants: These were also worn as part of the under-armor attire.
The reference states that "Underneath the armor, the samurai would wear a one-piece baggy garment, a kimono (T-shaped, wrapped-front clothing) on top of that and loose pants." This combination formed the essential under-armor attire for the samurai.
For clarity, the layers can be summarized as follows:
| Layer | Garment | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Base Layer | One-piece baggy garment | Innermost layer against the body |
| Middle Layer | Kimono | T-shaped, wrapped-front clothing, worn over the base layer |
| Lower Body Layer | Loose Pants | Worn as part of the under-armor clothing |
This multi-layered approach provided a foundation for wearing the heavy and sometimes abrasive components of samurai armor, which included items like thigh guards and calf guards often incorporating materials like chain mail and plates.
