A Japanese Dou

[Papermodder]

Thank you Don.

[Papermodder]

Good day.
Worked on cutting out and edge colouring the "Tateage".





This was then attached to the upper part of the Do (breastplate).



This whole assembly is now ready to be attached to the armour stand "Gusoku Kake".
I'm starting to think about the base for this build.

Thank you for following.
Questions and comments welcome.

[rickstef]

Jim,

Thank you for the photos, I had some idea how the pieces would go together, and now I know what to do

Rick

[Papermodder]

Your welcome Rick.

[Papermodder]

Good day all.
I felt that a lot was done this weekend.
The completed "Do" breastplate assembly was shaped around the armour stand and glued together. It is better to attach the centre section first, the the top and bottom after the centre is dry.



When complete the belt is then attached to the breastplate.



From here the front neck protector or "Nodowa" is assembled and placed onto the stand.





Next up are the sleeves, "Kote" and the hand armour, "Tekko". The sleeve proper is assembled and attach to make the full sleeve. The completed hand armour is shaped, then attached to the wrist of the sleeve.





The completed sleeves are then attached to the shoulders of the main armour.



The side armour or "Sode" are cutout, assembled then when dry attached also to the shoulders.









Now we start onto the helmet, "Kabuto", fisrt with the back neck protector or "Shikoro".





These are laminated first, put into the press and let to dry before assembly.
This is where I am at, at this moment.

Thank you for following.
Questions and comments welcome.

[Papermodder]

Good evening.
With the laminated pieces of the back protector, "Shikoro",they are then assembled. As well started on the main part of the helmet, "Kabuto".





When complete, the Shikoro is then attached to the Main part of the Helmet ,"Kabuto".





When dry it was time to install the decoration and the family crest to the helmet. The template would have had me install the crest in the vertical, when all reference material shows it in the horizontal. This was easily fixed.







Next up is to work on the Face Mask, "Mempo".





I did not like the supplied mustache for the Mempo. It just did not look accurate. I replaced this with a piece of wool. This looks a lot better.





The finished Mempo is then applied to the Kubato.





This completed assembly was then placed on top of the armour stand.



This is where I am at this evening.
Next up is the leg armour.

[Vermin_King]

That is looking really good. Thanks for letting us follow along

[Papermodder]

Thanks, and your welcome Vermin King.

[elliott]

Most impressive. How much did the whole outfit weigh do you think? It looks awkward to fight in but no more than a suit of armor I suppose. Probably easier.

[Papermodder]

Hi Elliott.
A full Dou weighed around 25kg or 55lb. It was designed to be light and comfortable enough to wear all day. This armour was also very maneuverable and flexible, more so than European Armour of the same period.