Students of arms and armour will welcome this detailed, scholarly survey of defensive armour used in the Middle East and Asia, from the scale armour of ancient Egypt to Japanese "modern" armour of the nineteenth century. Emphasizing the origins and evolution of armour in each country, and its influence on the armour of other cultures, this book — by a specialist in the field — gathers together much data that previously had been inaccessible or available only in widely scattered sources.

More than 300 line illustrations, largely the author’s own work, along with 108 photos depict Persian helmets, shields, and boots of mail and plate; Turkish “turban” helmets; a studded coat of Indian armour; Chinese, Korean, and Tibetan armour of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; Japanese embossed, folding, and laminated armour; and a wealth of other protective equipment.

Detailed and well documented, this informative study will not only provide scholars and students with a splendid overview of the decorative qualities and crucial defensive features of Oriental armour, it will also serve as an excellent reference for collectors and hobbyists.