Zhàojiǎ (罩甲)
The Zhaojia is a men’s sleeveless surcoat with a straight opening in the front and a square collar. The length can vary from the thigh to the calf. The zhaojia features side slits and a slit at the center back to accommodate horseback riding. The zhaojia was commonly worn over a crossed-collar pleated robe such as a tieli or a yisan, and would be cinched at the waist with a leather belt.
The Zhaojia was worn as the military uniform in the Ming Dynasty. When worn in the Ming military, zhaojia could be made from leather, iron, or iron-laminated cloth. However, zhaojia were also worn as ceremonial garments by guards and officials, in which case they would be made from luxurious fabrics and feature elaborate golden embroidery of symbolic and auspicious motifs.
Sources Consulted:
Hanfu: A Visual Primer of Historical Han Chinese Attire by the Northern California Hanfu Association
5000 Years of Chinese Costume by Xun Zhou
