Kote
Japanese armored gauntlet and forearm guard
The kote (籠手) is a Japanese armored sleeve designed to protect the samurai's arms and hands, combining chain links (kusari) and small iron plates (ikada) attached to a fabric base. Unlike the fully plated Western gauntlet, the kote balanced flexibility with protection — a hallmark of Japanese armor philosophy. A distinctive feature was its asymmetric design, with the left arm (the bow arm) typically receiving heavier protection. The modern kendo kote descends directly from this battlefield ancestor.
Related
Ō-yoroi
Grand armor of the Japanese samurai
Kabuto
Traditional helmet of the Japanese samurai
Uma-yoroi
Japanese horse armor of the samurai era
Gauntlet
Articulated metal glove of the medieval knight
Vambrace
Tubular forearm armor of the medieval knight
Mitten Gauntlet
Mitten-style metal gauntlet with unified finger shell
Tekko
Okinawan metal knuckle guard
Plate Armor
Full-body steel armor of the medieval knight
Coat of Plates
Transitional armor with iron plates riveted inside fabric
Lamellar Armor
Armor of small plates laced together with cord
Great Helm
Barrel-shaped helmet enclosing the entire head
Bascinet
Pointed medieval helmet with detachable visor