Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 105: Military Equipment III

Body Armor

The woodcut illustration associated with this section depicts the 'Shenjia' or 'Body Armor.' It features a prominent protective plate over the midsection, often decorated with a fierce animal mask to intimidate enemies, and shoulder guards made of overlapping scales. This 'lamellar' style was designed to allow for mobility while providing vital protection against projectile and melee attacks.

General Introduction to Protective Gear

Master Mao original: 茅子 (Maozi). This refers to Mao Yuanyi, the Ming dynasty scholar and military strategist who compiled this massive encyclopedia. states:

The designs and systems of body armor original: 身甲 (shēnjiǎ). A specific term for armor that protects the torso and vital organs. are not uniform, and the technical methods and standards original: 甲法 (jiǎfǎ). The "laws of armor," referring to the specific craftsmanship and assembly rules required for effective protection. for manufacturing armor are also remarkably numerous. Regarding these military implements, I have provided illustrations of their designs and gathered various historical explanations to inform those of future generations. In this way, I hope this work may constitute a comprehensive synthesis original: 大成 (dàchéng). Literally "The Great Completion," a term used to signify a definitive, exhaustive collection of knowledge on a particular subject. of the field.