Vambraces kote

Vambraces kote 籠手 for the left and right arm, extending from shoulder to finger. They are covered on the inside with an olive-green silk lining. This is followed by a layer of coarse dark blue canvas, then a layer of finer dark blue canvas, onto which a protective chain mesh is sewn. Embedded in this are black lacquered oval metal plates and a round plate at the elbow. The metal trim on the shoulder section is also lacquered in black and decorated with floral heraldic symbols, as are the palm guards. These are attached to the hands with a dark blue bamboo string or a loop wrapped around the middle finger and thumb. On the right sleeve, horn-coloured buttons used to attach the sleeve to the armour are preserved on the shoulder section. The buttons on the left sleeve are not preserved, but the button on the wrist is preserved. From the inside, the width of the sleeve is adjusted with a string, as with shoe laces. Metal plates with poorly preserved inscriptions in Japanese characters are attached to both guards at shoulder level. The inscriptions reveal the personal name of the maker, Master Munetaka 宗高, and the family or school of armourers Myōchin 明珍 from Bungo province. (BŠ, BT)