79 - JAPAN - First half of the 19th century

JAPAN - First half of the 19th century Japanese *tôsei gusoku* armor, coated in brown lacquer and assembled with navy blue silk cords, featuring a two-piece breastplate (*kasshoku'urushinuri kon'ito nimai'dô tôsei gusoku*). The set includes: • Helmet (*kabuto*): A *suji'bachi kabuto* (helmet with protruding ridges) composed of 8 lacquered plates, topped with a gilded wooden frontal ornament (*maedate*) depicting a sun (*hi*). The top of the helmet is adorned with a four-tiered gilded metal piece (*tehen no kanamono*). The neck guard (*shikoro*), consisting of four *itazane*-style plates, is flanked by two side fins (*fukigaeshi*) adorned with gilded appliqués in the shape of three superimposed rhombuses (*sangaibishi*). • Mask (*menpô*): A black-lacquered *hanbô* covering the lower part of the face, featuring a throat guard (*yodarekake*) composed of three rows of textured *itazane*-style blades. An inscription appears on the inside, at chin level. • Shoulder guards (*sode*): *Tôsei* style, consisting of five rows of slightly curved *itazane* blades. • Arm guards (*kote*): *Shino*-style, consisting of vertical metal rods connected by Japanese chain mail, all mounted on patterned blue-and-white cotton fabric. • Chest plate (*dô*): A two-piece *hotoke-dô*-style chest plate with a smooth surface on the chest and back. The center of the upper chest section is adorned with a matching gold emblem. Five panels of *kusazuri*—each composed of five reddish-brown lacquered *kiritsuke iyozane* plates—are suspended from the breastplate. • Thigh guards (*haidate*): *Kawara*-style, consisting of four rows of twelve rectangular plates attached to a matching fabric backing. • Shin guards (*suneate*): *shino* style, consisting of long metal plates connected by Japanese chain mail and attached to a green cotton backing, adorned with a pattern of archaic *kanji* characters in orange. The emblem featuring three overlapping diamonds (*sangaibishi*) is closely associated with the Ogasawara clan, a prominent samurai family descended from the Seiwa Genji. The design consists of three diamonds of decreasing size, arranged one above the other. According to Ogasawara family tradition, this emblem is derived from the character 王 (*ō*, “king”), which is said to have been bestowed upon the family by Emperor Go-Daigo. The armor comes with a black lacquered wooden storage chest (*yoroi'bako*), featuring iron handles on the sides to facilitate transport. Dimensions: Approximate height (including chest): 160 cm. (Signs of wear, minor missing pieces, chips, restorations, etc.)