"This suit of dog armor -- identified by antique Japanese armor dealer Toraba as the only known and certified authentic example of its kind -- is believed to have been created for the pet of a wealthy, high-ranking and presumably eccentric samurai or daimyo (feudal lord) in the mid to late Edo period (mid-18th to mid-19th century). Although the carved wooden helmet and coat of black-lacquered scale mail would have provided effective protection against enemy attack, evidence suggests the canine never wore the armor into battle. More likely, the suit served as a decorative costume for parades and other formal ceremonial occasions. The samurai dog armor now belongs to an unnamed UK museum."
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa277/amagayami/samurai_dog_armor_2.jpg)
More pictures can be seen here:
http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/di...g-armor/p1