What is lacquer armor?

Lacquer armor is a type of armor that was used in ancient Japan, made by coating iron or leather armor with layers of urushi lacquer. The lacquer not only served as a protective layer, but also had decorative uses, as it could be colored and used to create intricate designs.

This type of armor was favored by samurai warriors during the Edo period. It offered protection against both cutting and piercing attacks, and could be worn in combination with other armor types for added protection.

Lacquer armor was both functional and elegant, with some examples of armor being so elaborate they were considered works of art. However, creating lacquer armor was a time-consuming and expensive process, limiting its availability to the upper classes of society.

Today, lacquer armor can be seen in museums and collections around the world, but due to its fragility and age, few examples survive in good condition.