Value of Armour

[Kasemacher]

I was hoping someone could help me figure out how much it'd cost to produce/buy different kinds of armor. So far, I've found comparisons as saying it being worth as much as a small village or the equivalent of a private jet today.

Please, anyone have an answer to my question? Also, to clarify, I'm not asking for the price I'd pay to buy armor. How much was it back then? Please tell me, if you can, in a currency I can work with. I.e. "Fine o-yoroi armor cost 40,000 rubles.

[niitsu kakunoshin]

This should probably be in the Arms and Armor section.

Where is everyone on this one? I would have thought someone would have answered this by now.

I'll take a stab at it. I suppose the cost and way of purchasing or obtaining armor would differ depending on the period and rank of the samurai. I mean, different samurai wore different armor for different reasons. Armor during any era was worth a lot and the finer the craftsmanship and more the pieces, the higher the value obviously. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you the exact price or worth of certain items or complete sets of armor during different periods. Maybe someone on here(there must be someone that knows) will be kind enough to step up. Japanese armor for a wealthy daimyo could most likely have been worth quite a lot but I doubt if its comparable to a private jet; maybe in some extreme cases. Japanese armor comes in such a crazy variety, I wouldn't be surprised if some was almost worthless and others worth more than anything. I'm not sure, but I believe that swords and armor during times of war like the Sengoku period must have been worth less and perhaps in many cases been of somewhat lower quality due to the high demand and supply whereas in the Edo period armor and especially swords would have decreased in demand and increased in quality as well as price. I can only guess.(my degree is in Finance ).

[Kasemacher]

Alright, thanks. I figured it'd be difficult to get a price list. I put it in the history section since it appeared that this forum was more about the construction and purchase of arms and armor.

[niitsu kakunoshin]

[Kasemacher]

Well, I was actually hoping for the price to be in koku, or in one of the coins used. (Sen, Mon, Ryo, whatever)

I remember seeing a thread on someone asking how much a ronin could expect to be paid when selling their swords.

[niitsu kakunoshin]

[shin no sen]

Here's that thread.
http://forums.samurai-archives.com/viewtopic.php?t=1423

John
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知恵は時間及びエネルギーである

[niitsu kakunoshin]

[AJBryant]

I'm afraid that's something I've never really studied.

I learned the how, what, and why of armour, not the payscale. But like everything, there were variations on quality. You could buy the Hyundai (armour), or the Rolls Royce (armour), with varying levels of workmanship, decoration, quality, etc, but ultimately they are both cars (armours).


Tony
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http://www.sengokudaimyo.com

[Kasemacher]

I figured as much. Any idea on what the range would be for armor of swords? Trying to figure how much these cost historically is very difficult because it would have to had been recorded in a lot of detail.

"He bought a kabuto with (details) made by (armorer) from (materials) which he paid (cost)" To get any idea how much something like that would have cost.

[niitsu kakunoshin]

[Kasemacher]

That'd work if each koku fed a family the same way as $2000 does. Was looking less for a dollar amount and moreso for the currency of the time (koku). Also, I'd need an estimate for armor moreso than I would for weapons. However, thanks anyway.

[niitsu kakunoshin]

[shin no sen]

I have some feelers out but that just doesn't come up, but there may be a source somewhere. John
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知恵は時間及びエネルギーである

[shin no sen]

OK, Some info in. Inami Hakusai wrote that Kotetsu (a well renowned smith of the shinto period) sold his swords for 100 ryo (18 grams of gold: coin). At that time 100 ryo could buy 600 koku of rice. A Yoriki's wage was 200 koku a year. 3 years pay for him. Nothing on armour yet. 'from Mr. Guido Schiller', John
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知恵は時間及びエネルギーである

[Kasemacher]

Alright, at least we have that info! That's awesome. If you happen to run into similar info for armor, please let me know.

[Shisendo]

Check out this link to yesterday's Christie's auction for some jaw dropping prices for arms and armor. The top set went for a little more than 600 000 USD and the whole lot went for $2.7 million. Even if you only want a tsuba, you'd better start saving ($3000-7000). You could also spend the same amount for one of Ryoma's poems. . .
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Over a Hedge

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

Wow. There are some pretty impressive pieces in that catalog. Nice find.
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Heee heee! Shita iro! Shita iro! Here comes his lordship, Baka Tono!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rekishinotabi

[maikeruart]

[shin no sen]

At around $33 per gram and 18 grams per ryo and 100 ryo. $59,400. A little more in tune with Kotetsu. I wasn'tclear enough, I suppose. Sorry. John
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知恵は時間及びエネルギーである

[maikeruart]

[Jaak]

[narukagami]

Thread Necromancy!

According to Conlan's "Weapons and Fighting Techniques of the Samurai Warrior, 1200-1877AD" the price of a horse was "about half the price of a suit of armor." Then states that a horse in the 14th century cost about three or four kan, IIRC 1 kan=1000 copper coins (so about 3000-4000 copper coins), or the equivalent of 3000-4000 US dollars, 1500-2000 British pounds (at the time the book was written).

So if a horse was about half the price of a suit of armor in the 14th century, then at that time a suit of armor should cost about 6-8 kan, or 6000-8000 copper coins, 6-8000 USD, 3-4000 GBP.

Doesn't totally answer the original question, but its a start.

EDIT: Off by a figure.
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"When the Portuguese first landed upon Japan’s shores in 1543, they stroked their handlebar mustaches and said, “You know, that whole honorable swordsman thing is working well for you, but what you really need is our brand of GUNshido.” They then shot the word “PORTUGAL” into the side of the Emperor’s palace." - Omri Petitte, PC Gamer.