The Hotoke Do (also known as Buddha's torso or Saint's breastplate) is a type of breastplate (Do) worn by Japanese Samurai as part of their armor.
The Hotoke Do is a breastplate which, unlike other Japanese armors, was made from a single plate. A leather overlay, which was easy to manipulate, was applied to this plate.
This made it possible to incorporate or apply structures for decoration into the leather. The breastplates were also lacquered, and fine lacquer work was applied. The name comes from the round, well-nourished bellies of priests and monks from the monasteries, as well as statues of Buddha. The form of the Hotoke Do was borrowed from European armors.