MovieChat Forums > Kumonosu-jô (1961) Discussion > *Costuming question*

Costuming question

posted 20 years ago by oy2001
2 replies | jump to latest

Help a young inexperienced fanboy! I'm in the planning stages for a grand halloween costume for next year: Washizu's armour from the first "act" of the film (helmetted, sashimono with the centipede, large samurai bow - that one). I'm using a WONDERFUL resource put online by one Brian of Effingham called "Nihon Katchu Seisakuben" (google it) which has allayed most of my issues, but there's one nagging me:

WHAT COLOR IS THIS ARMOUR?!?!

I'm inclined to think, based on the color scheme of the Criterion DVD that it's either black or a dark red. (Historical reference also suggests that these are the most common armour colors.) Given the choice and no clue one way or the other, i prefer the dark red. It _is_ supposed to be a costume, after all. That said, does anyone have any reason to think otherwise? for that matter, does anyone want to venture guesses as to the color of other components, such as the odoshi (lacing), the accent plates (as seen in the armpit guards), the crest, the centipede on the banner, etc?

Arregato and thanks!

[–] Noel-24 20 years ago

The most common color for armour was black lacquer. Brown was next. For black armour, dark blue lacing was common.

Red was not as common. Lacings were usually dark blue or yellow ochre for red armour. The Ii clan Red Devils were unique, the only clan army where every man wore red armour.

Red 'x' lacings were often on the lowest part of the kusazuri (skirt armor) and sode (shoulder armour).

The centipede on the banner was white on black. This was the heraldry for the Tsukaiban of the Takeda clan, elite messengers seen in Kagemusha. Other versions of the Takeda Tsukaiban sashimono existed like black centipede on red flag, seen in Heaven and Earth (Ten to chi to).

Crests for helmets were gold-leafed.

[–] oy2001 20 years ago

Noel-24, thanks much. I believe the brown to which you refer registers to me as a dark, russet red, but fair enough. also: thank you for the info on the sashimono, and the historical significance.

that said, my main question remains: what color is the do? i could try to figure it out digitally, comparing greyscale versions of photos of various lacquer colors, but that seems a bit sloppy. so i'm wondering what you think the color of the do is, nothing more, nothing less. as stated, i think i prefer the russet, as A) it has more character and B) it is slightly lighter, but only slightly, which is in line with how i perceive the suit in action in the film.

but as stated, any help is appreciated.

cheers.