“At the end of the
Kamakura period, the haramaki (lit. “belly wrap”) was introduced as a
simpler form of scale armour for the low ranking samurai. Like the
dō-maru armour type, the haramaki was worn by the infantry on foot as a
lighter and simpler version of armour, in contrast to the heavy and sturdy ō-yoroi of the warrior nobles.During
the 14th century, the high-ranking samurai adopted a better quality
version of the haramaki. The cuirass of the haramaki wraps around the
torso and closed down the centre line of the back.” –Samurai Art Museum Berlin Source: