Egawa (Printed Leather)

Description

Embrace tradition and elegance with every meticulously crafted detail!

Egawa is a type of leather featuring traditional decorative designs or patterns that have been stenciled or imprinted onto its surface since before the 10th century. Traditionally produced from tanned or smoked kawa (rawhide)—with Japanese spotted deer leather being the most common—the patterns are applied using blue and red dyes over the natural or smoked hide. One of the most popular designs is the shi-shi (lion dog) motif, a symbol that has graced various parts of samurai armor for generations. This intricately decorated leather was commonly used on the front of the dō (cuirass), the upper plating on both the front and rear of the dō, the upper sections of the sode (shoulder guards), and even on the fukigaeshi (ears) of the kabuto (helmet). Traditionally, the same egawa design would be used throughout an armor set, though the interior or reverse side of certain pieces like the dō might feature a different design or plain kawa.

For eco-conscious customers, Iron Mountain Armory also offers egawa made from hog hide, which is more sustainable than deer leather. Both deer and hog egawa are available in bleached white or brown (beige) and can be ordered in several dimensions or as a full hide (uncut). Please note that hide sizes may vary slightly; we will do our best to match your specified dimensions or square centimeters requested. Custom designs and patterns can also be printed on the leather using our screen printing process.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Genuine Materials: Choose from authentic deer or sustainable hog leather.
• Traditional Craftsmanship: Adorned with time-honored patterns such as the classic shi-shi design.
• Customizable Options: Available in various colors, sizes, and custom pattern prints to match your armor’s aesthetic.
• Versatile Application: Ideal for enhancing various parts of samurai armor, ensuring a cohesive look throughout.

Shipping Information:
Please allow our artisans at least 4 to 15 days for processing and shipping, though delays may occur depending on leather stock availability. If deer hide is not available from the dropdown menu, it is currently out of stock for the foreseeable future.

References:  “Samurai Armour: Volume I: The Japanese Cuirass” by Trevor Absolon