Chizuru, 58, and Fumio Nishioka, 59, are samurai-armor restorers. Among the handful of such specialists in Japan, they are the only ones who use the same techniques as artisans historically did in the past. Whether 900 or 150 years old, a samurai's armor reveals its history through its layers of skilled craftsmanship. Chizuru and Fumio carefully restore such masterpieces to their original glory. Chizuru is the only person in Japan who still uses the ancient art of Japanese loop braiding, a technique to create intricate silk threads that was common after the eighth century to hold together and decorate armor.
Fumio is a master at many art forms related to the armor: steel-, silver- and gold-work; lacquer and leatherwork. The two are mesmerized by the art and spirit of Bushido and live very much like samurai: disciplined and ready to "die" anytime — after a good day's work of course.
Fumio: Yoroi samurai armor showcases the best of Japanese craftsmanship and is a great example of our monozukuri (art of making things) culture. It was created with the most advanced technology of its time — from the steel of the helmet to the thin, lightweight yet strong leather for its breastplate that no sword or arrow could penetrate. Japanese armor is flexible as it is sewn together to fit the body with silk cords. It's always custom-made for a perfect fit that allows the wearer to make quick moves. It's also lightweight, so even the horses the samurai rode didn't suffer much: An entire suit of armor can weigh 5 kg to 25 kg.