Links
Japanese-language links
Armour Links
Katchū Kyōshitsu (Armour Classroom) — A site for the construction of Usagi-Tei's ersatz Japanese armour using cardboard and plaster. While I can't recommend their patterns or methods, they are interesting. It also takes forever to load, but has some nice photographs of the armours made according to their directions.
Usagi-Tei Gallery — This slow-to-load page shows many armours and helmets made by Usagi-Tei students. It's a good source for ideas on how to decorate your own work.
Yoroi no Kōzan-dō — This is the website of the shop in Tokyo where I first got to learn the ins-and-outs of Japanese armour. It's a commercial site, and you can order modern replicas from them. The site has an English mirror. The Japanese site has more pages showing armours, including special pages such as replicas of armours worn by commanders at Sekigahara, other Sengoku daimyo, etc.
Japanese Garb, etc., Links
Yusoku — Yusoku is the home site of a bunch of Japanese folks with a great interest in studying and recreating Heian clothing.
Japanese Costume Museum — This is the main site of the Fūzoku Hakubutsukan (Costume Museum) in Kyoto. There is a lot of material available here that isn't mirrored in the English translation of the site below; notably a slew of essays on early costume and custom, and a full series of color illustrations of the costumes in the museum.
Matsuri Supplies — A Japanese company that supplies festival clothing, accessories, musical instruments, masks, and other related cultural chochkies. More often than not, the graphic links won't be working. Very annoying, but when it works it's interesting.
Sokutai Knowlege and Wearing — The homepage of some folks in Japan who enjoy studying and recreating Heian clothing and styles.
English-language Links
Armour Links
Usagi-Tei — An Enligh version of the main Japanese Usagi-Tei site for the construction of ersatz Japanese armour using cardboard and plaster. While I can't recommend their patterns or methods, they are interesting. The English here is non-native, so be warned of grammatical eccentricities. It takes a long time to load.
Usagi-Tei Gallery — This slow-to-load page shows many armours and helmets made by Usagi-Tei students. It's a good source for ideas on how to decorate your own work.
Armour Archive — An online discussion group of armourers and armour enthusiasts. Includes a pattern and essay archive.
Yoroi no Kōzan-dō — This is the website of the shop in Tokyo where I first got to learn the ins-and-outs of Japanese armour. Click on their “English” link. It's a commercial site, and you can order modern replicas from them. One page has many photographs of different armours they make, and is an excellent study of Sengoku (and earlier) armours.
Japanese Garb Links
Japanese Costume Museum — This is the English mirror site of the Fūzoku Hakubutsukan (Costume Museum) in Kyoto. There isn't as much material here as in the original Japanese site above. They do have detailed information on the history of women's clothing, but nothing on men's.
SCA-Japanese Medieval List — The e-groups SCA Japanese Medieval List (SCA-JML) homepage. If you're interested in the SCA and recreating Japanese history, garb, and armour, join the list and join the discussions!
Reconstructing History — The homesite for Fujiwara no Aoi-hime (m.k.a. Kass McGann), who has done considerable research and reconstruction of Heian Japanese fashions. Follow the link to the Japanese material.
Wodeford Hall — The homepage of Mistress Saionji no Hana. She has great patterns for kosode and other garments, articles on a variety of topics, as well as pictures of people from around the SCA and their projects.
Other Japanese-related Links
Clan Yamakaminari — The homepage of the household of Ogami Akira-dono, KSCA.
Samurai Archives — A wonderful site with lots of useful information on samurai history and culture.
Asahi Archery — Kyūdō equipment and supplies from Japan, orderable online.
Mokurai's Temple — The website of Matsuyama Mokurai, with great information on portraying a Japanese monk in the SCA.
Other Links
Society for Creative Anachronism — The home page for the SCA, a medieval re-creation group.