83 - JAPAN - 20th century

JAPAN - 20th century Black-lacquered Japanese armor (*tôsei gusoku*), laced with gray cords (*kuro'urushinuri haiiro'ito nimai'dô tôsei gusoku*). The set includes: • Helmet (*kabuto*): A *hoshi'bachi kabuto* composed of 12 plates, with the crown adorned with protruding rivets. The front is topped by a *maedate* (frontal ornament) made of patinated metal, crafted using the repoussé technique and depicting a coiled dragon. The three-tiered *shikoro* (neck guard) is made of *itazane* plates and features protruding *fukikaeshi* (side flaps). • Mask (*menpô*): Of the *ressei-bô* type (expressing “wrath”), featuring a removable nose, a gray-white mustache, and gold-lacquered teeth. It is fitted with a four-row *yodarekake* (chinstrap), composed of *itazane* plates. • Shoulder guards (*sode*): Formed of five horizontal rows of *itazane* plates, bound together with matching gray cords. • Arm guards (*kote*): *Shino* style, composed of long vertical metal blades connected by chain mail (*kusari*), attached to a dark silk backing adorned with stylized orange floral motifs. • Breastplate (*dô*): *Yokohagi okegawa-dô* style, consisting of black-lacquered horizontal plates. The back is equipped with a metal fitting (*gattari*) and a sheath (*ukezutsu*) designed to hold a back banner (*sashimono*). Six panels of *kusazuri* (thigh guards), each composed of five *kiritsuke iyozane*-style plates, hang from the lower edge. • Belt (*uwa'obi*): Made of white silk. • Thigh guards (*haidate* 佩楯): composed of three rows of six *iyozane*-style plates, connected by chain mail, mounted on silk with matching patterns, and edged with smoked leather. • Shin guards (*suneate* 臑当*): *shino*-style, consisting of long metal blades connected by chain mail and mounted on silk with matching patterns; they feature blue *tateage* 立挙 that protect the knees. The armor comes with a square storage chest (*yoroi'bako* 鎧櫃), lacquered black and fitted with handles designed to accommodate carrying bars. Height, when displayed on its chest: approximately 160 cm. (Signs of wear, minor missing pieces...)