Skirt (Haidate)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1700
Dimensions
L 25 in. ( 63.5 cm) W 21 in. ( 53.34 cm) 25 X 21"
Classification
Costumes
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1912
Accession Number
12.73a
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of samurai valor with this striking *Skirt (Haidate)*, a vital piece of Japanese armor dating to around 1700. Measuring 25 by 21 inches, this haidate served as thigh protection, shielding a warrior's lower body from blows during battle or ceremonial displays. Crafted during the Edo period—a time of relative peace under the Tokugawa shogunate reflects the enduring samurai tradition, where armor evolved from functional warfare gear to symbols of status and artistry. Though the artist remains unknown, the haidate exemplifies masterful Japanese armor-making techniques, likely ...