Samurai Shin Guard

Right, splint-style, samurai shin guard (shino-zuneate or shino-suneate) of a pair. The base of the shin guard is a brown, rectangular cloth with alternating panels of geometric patterns and gentian flowers, possibly indicative of a family crest (mon). The cloth is edged with blue patterned leather with small, white flowers. Five vertical, iron splints (shino) are painted with black lacquer and sewn to the cloth. Some of the splints show significant rusting where the lacquer has chipped away. 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 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 leather. Green thread sewn through the kikko creates a pattern of green squares where the armor plates sit. Burgundy thread is then sewn around the kikko to create a visible honeycomb pattern. Two long, burgundy, cloth ties are attached to the splints with green cloth at the top and bottom and serve to tie the shin guard behind the leg. The reverse is of undecorated blue cloth.