Kote Options

#### **Major Variants**

1. **Standard Issue Han Kote** - This armor only protects the outer forearms and the hand. They are significantly less labor intensive than full kote and are less restrictive as well.
2. **Full Kote** - This armor covers your outer hand, forearms, elbow, and upper arm. Full kote make heavy use of chainmail to maintain as much mobility as possible while still offering major protection. The chain work required for these armors is labor intensive and will take time to complete. The fabric foundation is also more difficult and needs to be fitted specifically to the individual to ensure proper mobility is maintained.
3. **Hana Kusari** - All standard armors utilize the Japanese 6-1 weave.

Han-KoteFull-KoteStandard 6-1 weave
#### **Popular Options**

1. **3 Plate Shino** - Forearm protection is achieved by utilizing three plates interconnected by chain. This option offers strong protective benefits while maintaining decent maneuverability.
2. **7 Plate Shino** - Forearms protection constructed of 7 plates interconnected by chain. The armor is less resistant to major trauma but maintains the highest mobility of any plate forearm.
3. **5 Plate Shino** - A hybrid of the 3-plate and 7 plate designs that offers greater trauma resistance than the 7 plate, and better mobility than the 3 plate.
4. **1 Plate Shino** - Forearm armor is constructed by a single plate. This is the ultimate armor for resisting trauma, but comes at a cost of maneuverability.
5. **Titanium Construction** - The armor is constructed from Titanium. This material is both stronger and lighter than the steels used in standard construction. (roughly 60% the weight of steel)
	1. This material is significantly more expensive.
6. **Stainless Steel Construction** - The armor is constructed from stainless alloys. This material is both stronger and more rust resistant than standard materials.
7. **Rectangle Ikada (full kote only) -** Upper arm protection is achieved with small metal tags interconnected by chain. Traditionally this protection is sparse and intended only as a backup or auxiliary armor.
8. **Kusari Kikko (full kote only) -** Upper arm protection is achieved with kusari kikko. Kusari Kikko are small hexigonal metal plates interconnected with chain. This armor could also be used in place of the standard 6-1 elbow protection, however it may be technically outlawed in non Verdish foam-fighting games. *(Technically a "rigid" metal elbow)*

7-Plate Shino3-Plate ShinoRaw Kusari KikkoRectangle IkadaRaw curved variantKusari Kikko
#### **Uncommon Options**

1. **High Carbon Steel Construction** - This makes the armor stronger than standard materials. This armor can be tempered.
2. **4-1 Kusari -** Instead of using the stronger 6-1 Japanese weave, the armor would utilize the Japanese 4-1 weave. This armor would likely have to have every ring sewn down to ensure they would pass foam-fighting rules.
3. **Nanban Kusari** - Instead of using the standard 6-1 Japanese weave, the armor would utilize the 4-1 European weave. In terms of foam fighting, the difference is purely cosmetic. However, in large quantities, European weave is heavier and stronger than Japanese weaves.
4. Thicker Material Plates - Thicker material can be utilized to increase the strength of the armor, however this adds significant weight. It is often recommended to use higher quality materials such as titanium, high carbon, or stainless if armor strength is a concern

Nanban Kusari6-14-1*Obviously other custom options are achievable, this list is focused on tested designs!*