Haidate (thighguards)

There are several kinds, odoshi tosei (laminated in construction), hodo ita, and many others. When you have finished putting on all your foot and leg gear, you will stand up, put the center of the upper edge of the haidate at the front of your body, carry the cords around your waist, and tie them in front upon the middle part of the top edge of the haidate. When you wear your haidate entirely under the dou you cannot quickly take them off when crossing a river or swamp, and if you put them on over your dou your rapid movement will be hindered. A very good way out of this difficulty is to wear them as usual under the dou, but to tie the cords outside outside it. You can them move freely and still take them off quickly.

Garbutt adds: Haidate were not known in ancient times but became important in the Middle Ages when the kusazuri, or kilt attached to the corselet, was reduced. It ususally consists of an apron-like piece of cloth, having its lower part covered with small overlapping plates of metal or leather. Occasionally whalebone was used. Some had, in addition, to the cord at the top edge, also cords to tie the lower edge closer against the leg.