杏葉 Apricot Leaf or Gyouyou

What is Gyouyou of Samurai Armor

This is one of the accessories of armor, made of iron plate fittings. It was named for its resemblance to the leaf of an apricot tree. During the Heian period, it was used as shoulder armor for the ""Domaru"" (a type of armor) worn by lower-ranking warriors. When "Sode" was introduced in the Kamakura period, it became armor that covered the high string.

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See more terms related to samurai armor in this samurai armor glossary

Samurai armor parts explained

Samurai armor history and types