73 - JAPAN - 19th century

JAPAN - 19th century Antique Japanese armor (*yoroi*), gold-lacquered and laced with orange silk cords, featuring a two-piece breastplate (*kin'urushinuri hi'ito nimai'dô tôsei gusoku*) and a rare type of *haidate* (thigh guards). The set includes the following main components: • A *kabuto* (helmet) of the *ko'boshi* type (with small rivets), composed of a patinated iron (*russet iron*) shell formed from 62 plates, meticulously adorned with 62 rows of 25 small pointed rivets. The top is crowned with a six-tiered gilded *tehen’no’kanamono* (crest), engraved with scrollwork motifs. The brass *kuwagata* (horn-shaped ornaments) are attached to a “U”-shaped bracket decorated with a chrysanthemum motif. The helmet is complemented by a three-row *shikoro* (neck guard), made of *kiritsuke kozane* (blades imitating individual scales) lacquered gold, as well as by wide *fukikaeshi* (side flaps) curved backward, edged with decorative “smoked” leather. The helmet shell bears a signature on its inner surface. • A *menpô* (face mask) made of patinated iron, of the *resseibô* type (depicting an angry face), featuring an attached nose and gold-lacquered teeth. The cheeks are fitted with *orekugi* (hooks for securing the cords) and a wide *ase nagashi no ana* (sweat drainage hole). It is complemented by a four-row *yodarekake* (chinstrap), the bottom row of which features a texture imitating leather. • *Sode* (shoulder guards) of the *ô-sode* (large shoulder guards) type, consisting of six rows of *hon kozane* (individual scales) connected by orange silk cords. The lower corners feature heart-shaped cutouts; the entire piece is embellished with silk cords and tassels. • *Kote* (arm guards) of the *hisago* (gourd-shaped) type, composed of gold-lacquered plates connected by Japanese chain mail (*kaushi-gusari*). Some plates are shaped like calabashes, which gives this type its name. The *tekko* (hand guards) are adorned with embossed floral emblems set against a blue-and-gold silk background decorated with vine motifs. • *Dô* (chest plate), of the “*maru dô*” type, composed of 8 rows of gold-lacquered “*kiritsuke kozane*” plates, assembled using “*kebiki odoshi*” lacing. Hanging from the shoulders are two matching pieces: a *sendannoita* (protective plate) and a *kyûbinoita* (dovetail-shaped plate). At the front are two small rings for cords, and at the back, a large ring adorned with an orange *agemaki* (decorative knot). Hanging from the breastplate are seven panels of *kusazuri* (thigh guards), each consisting of 5 “*kiritsuke kozane*” blades. • *Haidate* (thigh guards), of the “*iyô*” type: they are formed of small, oblong lacquered plates, arranged in 4 rows of 28, edged with “smoked leather.” The upper part is adorned with rich embroidery depicting a flower-filled garden along a riverbank—an extremely rare detail that we had never encountered before. • *Suneate* (leg guards), “*tsutsu*” type: tubular in shape, they consist of large vertical metal plates covered with gold lacquer whose texture mimics leather. These plates are hinged together and rest on a navy blue silk backing adorned with gold brocade patterns; they are complemented by white *tateage* (knee guards). • The set comes with a square storage chest (*yoroi'bako*), covered in black leather and fitted with handles that allow it to be carried using a pole. The front and back are adorned with a family crest (*mon*) created using dry embossing: this is the “*Sumikiri kaku ni san no ji* ” (隅切り角に三の字), representing the kanji for “three” inscribed within a square with cut corners. • This crest was used by several families, but it is most closely associated with the Ôchi clan (越智氏), governors of Iyo Province. It was also widely used by the Kōno clan (河野氏), a family of warriors famous for leading the naval forces during the Mongol invasions. Approximate height (including the chest): 165 cm. (Signs of wear, restorations, reattached helmet crest, minor missing pieces)