Suit of Armor
CultureJapanese
DateEdo period (1615-1868)
MediumMetal, lacquer, wood, silk, silk brocade, color, cotton, silk lacings, bast fiber, gold pigment, gold leaf, gilt copper alloy, chain mail, and leather
DimensionsSee component records for dimensions
Credit LineGift of Alan and Nadine Levin
Object number2022.39.35.1-17
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionThis is a full suit of armor in tōsei gusoku style consisting of sixteen parts. The helmet has four components: kabuto (helmet), maedate (frontal ornament), fukigaeshi (blowback), and shikoro (neck guard). One fukigaeshi appears to be missing. Other parts are mabizashi (visor), menpō (face mask), yodarekake (throat guard), muneita (upper chest plate), two pieces of sode (shoulder guard), kote (armored sleeves), front and back dō (chest armor) with kusazuri (armored skirts), front and back haidate (thigh guards), and two pieces of suneate (shin guards).The lacquered plates are decorated with a crest of an encircled butterfly. The back haidate has two identical inscriptions printed on the leather strips attached. The inscriptions read Shōhei rokunen rokugatsu tsuitachi 正平六年六月一日 (Shōhei 6, sixth month, first day). The inscription points to the Shōhei leather design approved by the court in 1351, but it does not indicate the date of the armor.
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