Details
A PRIVATE COLLECTION OF ARMOUR FROM A JAPANESE MUSEUM
A KIN KOZANE KON ITO-ODOSI NIMAI-DO GUSOKU [GOLD-LACQUERED BLUE-LACED TWO-PIECE CUIRASS ARMOUR]
MOMOYAMA PERIOD (16TH-EARLY 17TH CENTURY)
The armour comprising:
Helmet (kabuto):
A black-lacquered four-plate zunari kabuto [head-shaped helmet], a maedate [forecrest] of gold-lacquered wood toppei [high-reaching slender U-shaped piece], gilt agemaki no kan [ring for decorative bow] to rear, mabisashi [peak] formed from the frontal plate with gilt fukurin [edging] partially engraved with sections of leafy scrolling against nanako-ji [punched ‘fish roe’ ground], four-tiered shikoro [neck guard] of gold-lacquered iron shittsuke-zane [iron plate formed in semblance of individual scales], the lower tier lacquered red with gold scrolling, the fukigaeshi [turned-back portions] clad with green and white dyed leather with the shishi-mo [lion and water weed] pattern with gilt fukurin matching the mabisashi and applied gilt kugi-nuki [nail-puller] mon [family badge]

Face Mask (menpo):
Black-lacquered iron face mask with white bristle moustache, the nose, upper red-lacquered with gilt teeth integral and detachable, four-tiered iron shittsuke-zane yodarekake [bib] matching the shikoro

Cuirass (do), Sleeves and Shoulder Guards (kote and sode):
A nimai-do [two-piece hinged cuirass] of kon kebiki-odoshi kinnuri honkozane [gold-lacquered individual scales close-laced with blue braid], munaita [upper breast portion] oshitsuke-no-ita [upper rear plate] and watagami [shoulder braces] of gold-lacquered iron plate, the waki-ita [underarm plates] of red-lacquered iron, black-lacquered iron sashimono-dai [personal banner fixture] at the back, five-tiered kusazuri [skirt] of seven tassets of goldlacquered leather shittsuke-zane, the lower tiers lacquered red with gold leafy scrolling, the kobire [minor shoulder covers] of kiko [hexagonal iron pieces] brigandine with gold thread edging on a shoulder rest of padded red silk, chu-sode [medium shoulder guards] of six tiers of gold-lacquered shittsuke-zane, the kanmuriita [uppermost vertical plate] or a row of ichimonji [straight profile] shittsuke-zane, the shino-gote [sleeves] having short oblong splints and chrysanthemum-shaped hiji-gane [elbow metal] of gold-lacquered iron mounted on black iron chain mail on a pale green gold brocade ground

Thigh and Lower Leg Guards (haidate and suneate):
Ita-haidate [thigh guard] of four tiers of close-linked rectangular plates lacquered gold, the lower tier lacquered red, shino sune-ate [lower leg guards] with gold-lacquered iron splints linked with chain on leather and pale green silk with gold brocade, shoes of textile and leather clad with wild boar fur

Armour Box (yoroi-hitsu):
Black-lacquered karabitsu [armour box], together with a red-lacquered leather belt with carrying loops bearing a gold lacquered crossed hawk’s feathers mon

* Please see our Conditions of Sale for definitions of cataloguing symbols.
Special notice
-
Brought to you by

Lot Essay



Several hundred small gold-lacquered individual scales were used in the armour’s manufacture to provide a light, flexible, and immensely strong defensive dress. The armour provides virtually complete protection against cutting weapons with the unusual feature of chain mail encircling the underarms and forming completely close protection around the upper arms and the sides of the body beneath the armpits.

Related Articles

Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.

More from
Art of Japan: Online
Place your bid Condition report

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

I confirm that I have read this Important Notice regarding Condition Reports and agree to its terms. View Condition Report