Suneate — Shin Guards

Shin guards: vertical iron splints joined by chainmail, mounted on a padded cloth backing that wraps the lower leg and ties behind the calf. Simple, and almost unchanged across six centuries, because the design was right the first time.

Suneate were among the earliest components adopted by foot soldiers and among the last abandoned. A warrior could give up thigh armor, sleeves, even a face mask, but the shins were exposed to everything — spear shafts, horse hooves, and the sword strokes that came in low.

Ours are built as matched pairs with splints, chainmail, and knee covers where the form includes them. Some patterns add a leather panel at the inner calf to protect against saddle wear — the historical detail that tells you a suit was made for a rider.

Sized by calf circumference and lower-leg length. Worn over tabi and under the haidate.

The least glamorous component in the collection and the one most likely to be noticed if it is missing.