70 - JAPAN - 19th century

JAPAN - 19th century Antique Japanese armor (*yoroi*), lacquered gold and laced with orange silk cords, featuring a two-piece breastplate (*kin'urushinuri hi'ito nimai'dô tôsei gusoku*). The armor is adorned with an emblem depicting a mandarin orange (*tachibana mon*). The set includes the following main components: • *Suji'bachi kabuto* (helmet with protruding crests): the helmet body, composed of 32 black-lacquered plates, is topped by an imposing *maedate* depicting a leaping *shishi* (guardian lion), carved from gilded wood and accented with red pigments. The top is crowned with a large *tehen’no’kanamono* (crest) made of blackened metal, consisting of six tiers and engraved with plant motifs. The helmet is complemented by a *shikoro* (neck guard) with four rows of gold-lacquered blades, as well as wide *fukikaeshi* (side flaps) curved backward, edged with decorative smoked leather and adorned with the *tachibana* emblem in applied metal. At the back is a *age'maki* (decorative knot) made of red silk. The interior of the helmet bears a later inscription, signed in gold letters: “Made by Iehisa” (*Iehisa saku*). • *Menpô* (face mask) of the *resseibô* type (depicting an angry face), made of patinated iron, featuring an attached nose and a gray mustache pointing forward. Its lower part is fitted with a *yodarekake* (neck guard) composed of gold-plated *hon kozane* blades, suspended from a smoked-leather collar. • *Sode* (shoulder guards) of the *ô-sode* type, consisting of six rows of gold *kiritsuke kozane* plates, connected by orange silk cords. The lower plate of each shoulder guard is adorned with motifs depicting the *tachibana* emblem. The ensemble is embellished with tassels and silk cords. • *Kote* (armored sleeves) of the *shino-kote* type, composed of long vertical gilded plates connected by Japanese chain mail (*kaushi-gusari*), all set against a background of gold-embroidered silk. The *tekko* (hand guards) are decorated with floral motifs in relief. • *Dô* (breastplate): a *ni-mai dô* (two-panel) style based on the *marudô* design, composed of eight rows of gold-lacquered *kiritsuke kozane* plates, assembled using the *kebiki odoshi* technique. Hanging from the shoulders are a *sendannoita* (precious wood plate) and a *kyûbinoita* (dovetail-shaped plate). The ensemble is adorned with decorative *age'maki* cords (one at the front, one at the back). At the lower section, seven panels of *kusazuri* (thigh guards) consist of *kiritsuke kozane* plates arranged in groups of five. • Haidate (thigh guards): *iyô* style, formed of small, oblong lacquered blades arranged in four rows of twenty-three elements. They are edged with smoked leather and trimmed with a fur border. • Suneate (shin guards): *shino* style, composed of vertical iron blades connected by Japanese chain mail (*kusari*), featuring blue *tateage* (knee guards) and matching fur ornaments. The set comes with a square *yoroi'bako* (armor storage chest), lacquered in a reddish-brown hue. Approximate height (with the chest): 165 cm. (Signs of wear, restorations, etc.)