The Armour Archive

trying to make japanese armor does anyone have any patterns and tips?

Noble Plastics has Kozame plates that is used with cording to create the plating.

http://www.brotherguido.com/armor/

I didn't see any patterns yet, but I think someone on the Archive is currently prototyping and experimenting with these very same plates fo rthe company.

You might want to check this site out:

http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/katchu/

Here's a second for the sengokudaimyo.com website.

There's so much information on Effingham's website that it'll make your head spin. There are a couple of others that are good, but I can't remember the urls off the top of my head. One is Otagiri-dono's - he has some great patterns and information, especially on the under-armor garments.

Seriously, though - look at a lot of photos, then look at the sengokudaimyo website. It's like having an exploded diagram of what's in the pictures.

The sengokudaimyo armour site is only one of two that you will need. Make sure that you also check on Effingham's clothing site as well. You can use the top level site to get to both
http://sengokudaimyo.com

The arming guide Tanki Yoriaku helps you figure out how to put it all together
http://rhinohide.cx/tousando/yoriaku

Additional sites and information can be found on the Yahoo!Group SCA-JML
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sca-jml/
Be sure to check out the files and links sections.

Also, you can use the search function on this forum to pull lots of Japanese armour discussion threads.

Also, the Noble Plastic kozane are not yet available.

Buy a punch and a lot of booze. Stupid nagagawa not lining up.

And, if you're smart, those temporary rivets they sell. Umm . . . do a search on the board for "new armoring tool?" from the past few months and you'll find a link.

Although, in a pinch, copper roofing nails will work, you'll just shear them apart when you hit the plates too often.