From the mid-8th century to the early 9th century,Japan mass-produced and equipped a type of armor called"Menou armor"made of silk,modeled after the armor style of the Tang Empire.This paper sorts out the existing textual materials of China and Japan,and finds that this type of"Menou armor"is highly likely to originate from the"Zaojuan armor"mentioned in Tangliudian.Through sorting and comparing the existing image materials of China and Japan,this article analyzes and explores the true regulation and formation of the"Zaojuan armor"in Tang Dynasty.In 755 A.D.,the Tang Empire erupted into the An Lushan Rebellion.As An Lushan and Shi Siming occupied several major ranch areas of the Tang Empire at that time,the Tang Empire lacked the important raw material for making horn bows,known as ox horns.So the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty entrusted Kougendo and other envoys to seek military material support after returning to Japan.The exchange price is to teach Japan the technology of manufacturing"silk armors"using silk and silk floss,and to deliver the physical samples of"silk armors"to the Japanese side together.The Japanese side called it the"Tangguoxinyang",which was called the"Zaojuan armor"recorded in Tangliudian.In 761 A.D.,Japan received the technology of making soft armors from silk and silk floss,as well as the"silk armor"sample.In 762 A.D.,it began to manufacture the"Menou armor"on a large scale according to the"Tangguoxinyang".In 780 A.D.,in order to quell the Houki Rebellion with military means,Japan began using the"Menou armor"in actual warfare.However,due to the high temperature and humidity of Japan's natural environment,silk fabrics were prone to decay and were not suitable for Japan's war environment,and ultimately had to be abolished.The"Menou armor"and the"Zaojuan armor"are both made by overlapping silk fabrics layer by layer to provide them with considerable protective ability,which can resist the attack of arrows and stones.The soft armor is filled with silk floss to form an insulation layer and buffer layer,which can be used to keep warm in cold weather.In addition,it can be worn under the iron armor to cushion and dissolve the impact force borne by the armor.This way of dressing is named"Aojiazupei"in this paper.In practical combat,when soldiers wearing silk clothing are hit by an arrow,the silk clothing will insert into the body along with the arrow,forming a protective layer between the arrow and damaged human tissue.This can prevent tearing and expand the wound when the arrow is pulled out.The"Menou armor"imitated by Japan based on the"Tangguoxinyang"can not only be used to directly equip the army and wear within iron armor,but can also be made into decorative armor for ceremonial celebrations.In addition,to enhance its defense,metal or leather armor pieces will be sewn on top of the"Menou armor".Based on the comparative analysis of existing image data between China and Japan,it is likely that the"Zaojuan armor"mentioned in Tangliudian appears in the form of a"Qixiu half sleeve".This"Qixiu half-sleeved"soft armor is filled with silk floss sewn from multiple layers of silk,and a thick collar or shoulder guard made of leather or multiple layers of silk is added to the collar and shoulders.The short sleeves of the upper arm are filled with silk fibers to enhance the protection of the shoulders and upper arms.
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