The Japanese feudal culture which developed in the early 8th century A.D. very closely resembled the social structure in Europe at the time. Also developed independently was chainmail, or Kusari, which came into use during the 14th century. The Japanese used chainmail less extensively than Europeans, generally for covering joint areas, such as the armpits or the neck.

Japanese chainmail differentiates itself from European chainmail primarily in its structure. The rings in Japanese chainmail are of varying diameters, usually employing 4 or 6 small rings for every larger ring. The pattern that results from this is rather different from the European weave, forming square or hexagonal units linked into a larger sheet.

Chainmail was made from iron rings. Though not welded, it was sometimes layered twice, resembling modern keychain rings. The rings were lacquered and sown into shirts. They were often covered completely by two layers of thick cloth or leather.