Geta: Wooden clog (associated more with peasants).

Armor

Samurai armor was constructed of lacquered iron woven together with silk cord. Its construction made it lighter (only 25 pounds) and tougher than the European chain mail. These factors made it easy to repair and store. A cotton loin cloth, a kimono and loose- fitting pantaloons were worn beneath the armor.

Helmet with visor: Lacquered mask with intimidating expression protected the face.

Iron collar: Prevented decapitation.

Thighguards: Could be removed when walking.

Shinguards: Leather with strips of iron

Metal-cased sleeve: Iron splints sewn into heavy cloth.

Swords were always worn on the left side.

Samurai usually carried a dagger and fan.

The swords

The crafting of a sword took on an almost religious aura. Craftsmen would go through a purification ceremony and wear only white while forging the blade.

A process of layering the metal (harder steel and softer steel), bending it back upon itself and hammering it thin gave the blade flexibity and strength. An edge of hard steel was neccessary to ensure a sharp blade. This was achieved by encasing most of the blade in clay and leaving the edge exposed. The blade was then heated until it glowed and then plunged into water. The exposed edge cooled quickly. This made it harder and better able to hold a sharp edge. The clay covered portion cooled more slowly and became more flexible.

A new blade would often be tested on the body of a beheaded criminal. A good blade could slice a body in half.

A time-tested sward was more valuable than a new, unproven blade.

Katana: Sword held with two hands that is used in a slashing — rather then stabbing — movement.

Seppuku

(Hara-kiri)

This form of ritual suicide was practiced by the samurai from 1192 to 1868. Suicide was ordered as punishment or chosen in place of a dishonorable death (public execution).

Hara-kiri, which means stomach cutting, was carried out quickly — and without ceremony — in such places as a battlefield. Seppuku was a formal ritual carried out at a temple, garden or villa. In the ritual, the victim is required to disembowel himself without displaying signs of pain. If he was able to complete the task, the kaishaku (a close friend or associate that acts as an assistant) then decapitated him.

SOURCES: "Early Japan," by Jonathan Norton Leaonard; World Book Encyclopedia; samurai-archives.com; fortunecity.com