Illustrations Showing the Wearing of Arms and Armor - Yamaguchi Bisū

A detailed nineteenth-century woodblock print by Yamaguchi Bisū, illustrating the construction and wearing of traditional Japanese samurai armour.

This woodblock print by Yamaguchi Bisū originates from the mid-nineteenth century, a period when the documentation of traditional samurai equipment became a subject of renewed interest. The work, titled Katchū chakuyōzu, functions as a technical manual or reference guide, detailing the specific components and methods for donning feudal Japanese armour.

The composition is divided into two distinct views. On the left, a warrior is depicted in a standing position, wearing a haramaki-style cuirass. This type of armour, which wraps around the body and fastens at the back, is rendered with clear attention to the layered construction of the plates and the accompanying silk cords. The figure wears a simple headpiece, and his posture is relaxed, allowing the viewer to observe the functional aspects of the garment.

The right side of the print shows the same style of armour from the rear, placed upon a stool. This perspective reveals the complex arrangement of the back plates, the quiver of arrows, and the decorative elements of the helmet. The artist employs a clean, linear style typical of instructional prints from this era. The colour palette is restrained, relying on muted reds, blacks, and soft ochre tones to define the materials of the armour without distracting from the technical details.

Yamaguchi Bisū provides a clear, objective record of military attire. The print avoids unnecessary ornamentation, focusing instead on the structural integrity and the specific assembly of the armour pieces. Such works were often produced for collectors or those interested in the preservation of martial traditions during the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate. The paper texture and the subtle ink application reflect the standard production methods of Japanese woodblock printing, where clarity of line and informative content took precedence over atmospheric effects.