kyahan
{{Short description|Cloth leggings and retainers worn by samurai in feudal Japan}}
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{{nihongo||脚絆（きゃはん）|Kyahan}} are cloth leggings which were worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=csUrAAAAYAAJ&q=+Kaihan|title=Arms and Armor of the Samurai: The History of Weaponry in Ancient Japan|first=Ian|last=Bottomley|date=October 23, 1996|publisher=Crescent Books|isbn=9780517103180|via=Google Books}} In Japanese, the word is also used for Western soldiers' gaiters.
Description
{{Transliteration|ja|Kyahan}} were worn as padding underneath the samurai greaves ({{Transliteration|ja|suneate}}). Some types of {{Transliteration|ja|kyahan}} could be covered with mail armour ({{Transliteration|ja|kusari kyahan}} or {{Transliteration|ja|kyahan suneate}}); these were worn by foot soldiers ({{Transliteration|ja|ashigaru}}) or by samurai as protection.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z9lmmkvQOpoC&q=samurai+kyahan&pg=PA199|title=Secrets of the Samurai; A Survey of the Martial Arts of Feudal Japan|first1=Oscar|last1=Ratti|first2=Westbrook|last2=A|date=October 23, 1991|publisher=C. E. Tuttle|isbn=9780804816847|via=Google Books}} {{Transliteration|ja|Kyahan}} were worn by ordinary travelers as protection from cold, insects and underbrush.{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FJZFAAAAIAAJ&q=japanese+kyahan&pg=PA9|title=A Handbook for Travellers in Japan|first1=John|last1=Murray (Firm)|first2=Basil Hall|last2=Chamberlain|first3=W. B.|last3=Mason|date=October 23, 1894|publisher=J. Murray|via=Google Books}}
{{Transliteration|ja|Kyahan}} were often made of linen, but other materials such as cotton were also used. {{Transliteration|ja|Kyahan}} components depended on the season.{{explain|reason=which?|date=October 2021}} When tying {{Transliteration|ja|kyahan}}, the inner cords are shorter than the outer ones; the cords are typically tied on the inner side of the legs instead of on the front or outer area, preventing discomfort when the stiff greaves are placed over the {{Transliteration|ja|kyahan}}.
See also
- {{Transliteration|ja|Suneate}}
- List of items traditionally worn in Japan
References
{{reflist}}
Sources
- Turnbull, Stephen (1998). The Samurai Sourcebook. London: Arms & Armour Press. {{ISBN|1-85409-371-1}} [reprinted by Cassell & Co., London, 2000. {{ISBN|1-85409-523-4}} ]
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Kyahan (kiahan)}}
{{Japanese (samurai) weapons, armour and equipment}}
{{Japanese clothing}}
Category:Japanese words and phrases
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