When US Navy Commodore Perry opened Japan to the Western world in 1853, great changes were spurred in Japanese government and society. Prior to Perry’s arrival, Japan had been a feudal state, governed by land owning shoguns whose power was enforced by private armies of warriors known as Samurai. The Samurai wore protective armor from head to toe to defend against the sword blows from rival Samurais. This Antique 1860s Late Edo Period Japanese Kote Hand & Forearm Samurai Armor is in Good Condition, with moderate scattered surface flaking to the right wrist protecting bands, some scattered surface flaking to the left wrist protecting bands, moderate tearing to the “chain mail” of the right finger tips, having been re-laced with modern blue cotton lacing along the middle undersides, as well as at the undersides of the thumbs and palms, and with some overall age wear evident. Most interestingly, they measure about 26” long x 7” wide overall, and boast incredible darkened metal “chain mail” linked armor all along the fronts, with interspersed darkened metal bands at the upper front, a darkened metal “chrysanthemum” Japanese national symbol at each outer middle front, 6 vertical darkened metal bands along the wrists, and darkened metal plating along the fronts of the thumbs, hands, and finger tips, with each hand plate carrying an embossed 5 petal flower symbol. They sport a decorated yellow silk base with elegant designs woven into the pattern, feature “kelly” green cotton piping throughout, and date to the ca. 1860s (late Edo period). A fine example of rare, original Antique 1860s Late Edo Period Japanese Kote Hand & Forearm Samurai Armor, and a great relic of the last days of the Samurai.