The helmet from which the "raging bull naming of this armour derives has a peach-shaped bowl adorned with the huge horns of a water buffalo. The water buffalo's horns have a long history of use in arms manufacture as a very hard material, and symbolise an indomitable spirit. Nagamasa is said to have possessed several of these helmets and presented one to his comrade, Fukushima Masanori. This armour is said to have belonged to Kuroda Nagamasa, a senior vassal of the Toyotomi clan. Beginning with the Battle of Shizugatake, Nagamasa helped the Toyotomi clan gain ground, but following the death of Hideyoshi, he aligned himself with Tokugawa leyasu against lshida Mitsunari.
Upper body armour of the "okegawa—do" type, with interconnected rectangular iron plates. This type of do is also known as a "tatehagi—do" (vertical joint do) due to the seams running vertically. The lacquer—less, Nanban—style of simple, plain iron is adorned in the centre with the Kuroda clan's black rice cake crest. Damage and stains of former battles were left for all to see on the do, reinforcing the idea that its users were no strangers to violent conflict.
Gauntlets made from long, thin iron plates interconnected vertically, and as they followed the lines of the body, gave little resistance to movement. They offer protection from the elbows down to the backs of the hands. They were often worn with long leather gloves to prevent abrasions of the skin from prolonged contact with the iron.
Leg protection consisting of a light hemp undergarment over which iron scales hang from a small leather band bound with yellow thread. Protection extends from the waist down to below the knees. To prevent damage to the bare iron from abrasion and other wear, the surface of the scales was given a thin protective coating.
Shin guards made from long, thin iron plates interconnected vertically, and as they followed the lines of the body, gave little resistance to movement. Being larger than traditional suneate, they offer protection from above the knees down to the ankles. They can also be worn comfortably on horseback, being inspired by Western armour designs that cover the entire lower body.
