Description

Shield Your Shoulders with the Strength of the Samurai!

The Sode (袖), or samurai shoulder armor, are rectangular plates designed to protect the upper arms and shoulders of samurai warriors. These shoulder shields were an essential part of Sangu armor, evolving in design based on the demands of battle. As combat shifted from mounted warfare to foot combat in the Muromachi Period (~1450), the size of Sode gradually decreased, allowing for greater mobility and ease of movement.

At Iron Mountain Armory, we have meticulously recreated some of the most historically accurate Sode designs, ensuring a balance between protection and agility for the modern warrior.

Traditional Sode Styles:

O-Sode – Large Shield-Style Shoulder Guards

• Design: Large, shield-like shoulder armor, favored in the early samurai period when combat was primarily on horseback.
• Best For: Mounted samurai and high-ranking warriors requiring full upper-arm protection.

Chu-Sode – Medium Shoulder Guards

• Design: Medium-sized Sode, providing protection and flexibility, making them ideal for foot soldiers.
• Best For: Most samurai armor sets, as they allow for a balance between mobility and defense.

Although the size and style of Sode evolved, they remained a crucial defensive element that helped define the distinctive appearance of samurai armor throughout history.

Authentic Craftsmanship & Materials:

All Sode at Iron Mountain Armory are expertly crafted from rectangular steel plates, carefully laced together with Odoshi (lace) and backed with durable linen or leather for added strength and comfort.

The Sode attach securely to the Sode Kohaze (toggle fasteners) on the Watagami (shoulder straps) of the Dō (chest armor), ensuring a secure and adjustable fit.

For more insights on the history and evolution of Sangu armor, including Sode, visit our blog article, “About Sangu and Sode Armor Parts.”

Customization & Design Options:

• Variety of Colors & Styles: Choose from multiple paint, odoshi lace, and design options.
• Custom Plate Styles & Sizing: Select from a range of historical plate arrangements.
• Traditional Edging Options:
  • Padded Edges (Edo Style) for additional comfort and reinforcement.
  • No Edging (Sengoku Period Style) for a lighter, more flexible fit.

Available Sode Designs & Styles:

• 01A – Ita-Mono: Solid rectangular plates without design.
• 01B – Ita-Mono: Solid plates with a wave pattern along the bottom plate.
• 02A – Kiritsuke Kozane: Solid plates with simulated narrow scale plates.
• 02B – Hon-Kozane: Narrow scale plates woven together for highly flexible & durable armor.
• 03 – Kiritsuke IyoZane: Solid plates with simulated wide scale plates.
• 04A – O-Sode Ita-Mono: Large shield-like design with solid plates and no simulated scales.
• 04B – O-Sode Kiritsuke Kozane: Large shield-like design with simulated narrow scale plates.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Historically Accurate Design: Replicates traditional Muromachi and Sengoku-period armor styles.
• Sold as a Set: Each order includes a pair of Sode (left and right shoulder armor).
• Customizable Materials & Colors: Choose from steel plate, different odoshi laces, and personalized patterns.
• Durable & Functional: Ideal for historical reenactments, martial arts training, and samurai armor collections.

Product Crafting Time:

Please allow our skilled armorers at Iron Mountain Armory an average of 1 to 2 weeks for processing and crafting your Sode Samurai Shoulder Armor. Custom designs may require additional time based on complexity.

References: Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan – By Oscar Ratti, Adele Westbrook