WAKO (倭寇) — Japanese pirates, ronin and smugglers (although there are cases when they were engaged in the protection of shipping for a fee), who ravaged the coasts of China and Korea.Initially, groups of sea robbers were recruited from impoverished Japanese fishermen. Later, other social groups that had become impoverished during the Sengoku troubles joined their ranks. The island of Tsushima, halfway between Japan and Korea, served as a pirate lair, and the main target for raids was the coast of Korea. Over time, the Japanese began to visit the waters of China: between 1369 and 1466. sources mention 34 attacks by Wokou on Zhejiang.

Vokou's uniforms and weapons matched their purpose and combat tactics.

Simple pirates wore simple, light, easy-to-move clothing. They did not use armor, only sometimes covered the front part with a breastplate. Vokou did not wear shoes. This was due to the fact that for speed of maneuver, they landed directly in shallow water, not reaching the shore

The leaders of the pirates almost always had full armor, and the obligatory fan to help bring orders to subordinates.