Samurai Shin Guard

Right, splint-style, samurai shin guard (shino-zuneate or shino-suneate). The base of the shin guard is a tan, rectangular cloth with tan brocade in an ivy pattern. The cloth is edged with blue and white patterned leather. Five vertical, iron splints (shino) are painted with black lacquer and sewn to the cloth. The central splint has a ridge down the middle to fit over the shin bone. The two inner splints are half-length to account for an unarmored panel (abumi-zure). The abumi-zure is a square of black-painted leather attached to the lower, inner section of the shin guard to prevent abrasion to and from the stirrups. Five narrow, horizontal bands of mail (kusari) connect the splints to one another. At the upper edge of the shin guard, a panel of brigandine (tateage) protects the knee. Hexagonal iron plates (kikko) are sandwiched between layers of fabric with a top layer of black-painted leather. Faded blue thread is sewn through the kikko which creates a pattern of faded blue squares where the armor plates sit. Burgundy thread is then sewn around the kikko to create a visible honeycomb pattern. Two long, cloth ties, made from the same base fabric as the shin guard, are attached to the splints with faded blue cloth at the top and bottom and serve to tie the shin guard behind the leg. The reverse is of undecorated blue cloth.