General Rokugani Armor and Clothing

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Armor and Clothing
Samurai armor themselves with a wide variety of garments, suiting their choices to their needs. Whether it is lacquered plates to protect against swords or fashionable clothes to bolster one’s reputation at court, the garb a samurai chooses can serve many important purposes

Textiles in Rokugan
Silk and linen are the most common textiles for Rokugani clothing, but cotton, satin, and more exotic imported fabrics are used to make clothing for wealthy and import-ant individuals

Sleeping Garb
Most Rokugani possess no dedicated sleeping clothes, but those of sufficient wealth or status (such as samurai) often wear a loose robe, a shift, or a jinbei when sleeping. A jinbei set consists of a short, loose, short-sleeved jacket that belts at the waist and matching short trousers. Jinbei sets are reserved for sleeping and private lounging, and are most often worn by men. Many women instead choose shifts or gowns that cover the wearer from shoulder to midcalf, though some prefer jinbei.

Common Clothes
Rokugani clothing runs the gamut from the simple trousers and smocks worn by peasants, to the broad-shouldered haori worn by traditionalist samurai, to the noble’s embroidered silk kimono.

People of the upper classes often wear sandals and tabi on the feet, while most peasants go barefoot. A wide range of styles of hats, gloves, cloaks, and other accessories are popular in various locales across the Empire.

Ceremonial Clothes
Ceremonial clothing is any garment worn during an official ceremony, from a samurai’s court kimono to the accoutrement of the Imperial family. Ceremonial clothing is often richly decorated and offers little protection.

Sanctified Robes
The vestments of shugenja, shrine keepers, and other religious figures are blessed by kami and thus grant mystical protection. Traditionally, such robes consist of a white garment called jōe (literally, “pure cloth”) and a peaked hat, but they can be simpler, such as a white haori top and red hakama bottoms, or even an elaborate kimono.

Concealed Armor
Used by cautious courtiers, shinobi, and anyone else who fears assassination, concealed armor is a kimono, keikogi, or other garment with thin bamboo or metal plates sewn inside to turn an unexpected blade or arrow

Traveling Clothes
Traveling clothes ordinarily consist of roughspun garments designed to resist wear and tear. They can be anything from robes to a kimono or jacket and leggings and are often accentuated with a hat or cloak

Ashigaru Armor
Cheap, lightweight, and easy to acquire, ashigaru armor is issued to the peasant soldiery. Possessing neither the beauty nor the fine craftsmanship of lacquered or plated armor, ashigaru armor consists of light plates sewn together to protect the head, torso, and upper legs. It is occasionally paired with a light helmet. Although it does not protect as well as heavier armor, it is lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive as armor goes.

Lacquered Armor
Heavier than ashigaru armor, lacquered armor is worn by samurai who desire a good mix of protection and grandeur, and is just at home at war as at a martial ceremony. These suits are made of thick leather or steel plates stitched or riveted to a leather backing. They protect the torso, head, upper arms, and groin, and the legs above the knee. They can also include a helmet and mask, though these are not considered integral.

Plated Armor
Also known as great armor, suits of plated armor are among the heaviest worn by samurai. Not as ornate as lacquered armor and somewhat more restrictive but also notably more protective, plated armor is composed of numerous small steel and leather plates connected by rivets, woven silk cords, leather straps, or chains. The plates are attached to a leather or cloth backing and worn over silk clothing, which provides added protection from piercing attacks thanks to its tensile strength.

Armor Masks
Plated armor frequently includes a detachable face mask often made to resemble a demon or other fantastic creature, giving its wearer an intimidating presence on the battlefield.