87 - JAPAN - 20th century

JAPAN - 20th century Black lacquered Japanese armor (*tôsei gusoku*), adorned with blue-gray cords and featuring a multicolored hem dominated by crimson (*kuro'urushinuri kon'ito kurenai'suso nimai'dô tôsei gusoku*). The set is perfectly matched and bears the crest (*mon*) “Meyui” (目結): four open, slanted squares inscribed within a circle. • Helmet (*kabuto*): *Boshi'bachi* type (riveted), composed of 8 plates. It is topped by a circular, patinated metal frontal ornament (*maedate*), featuring the *meyui* motif in repoussé, and flanked by two stylized horns (*kuwagata*). The crown is adorned with a five-tiered chrysanthemum-shaped trim (*tehen no kanamono*), complemented by a decorative knot (*agemaki*) made of gilded silk. The neck guard (*shikoro*) features three rows of *kiritsuke iyozane*-style plates and has wide flanges (*fukikaeshi*) curved backward, lined with smoked leather and decorated with plaques bearing the family crest. • Mask (*menpô*): *Ressei-bô* type (depicting an angry face), featuring a removable nose, a grayish mustache, gold-lacquered teeth, and a throat guard (*yodarekake*) composed of four rows of *kiritsuke iyozane* blades. • Shoulder guards (*sode*): Composed of five rows of *kiritsuke iyozane* blades. • Arm guards (*kote*): *Shino* style, consisting of long vertical metal blades connected by chain mail (*kusari*), all mounted on a gold-embroidered silk backing. • Breastplate (*dô*): *Yokohagi okegawa-dô* style; the front is adorned with a large gold-lacquered *meyui* crest. It is embellished with a pair of small decorative silk knots (*agemaki*). Six protective panels (*kusazuri*), each composed of five *kiritsuke iyozane* blades, hang from the breastplate. • Belt (*uwa'obi*): Made of dark blue silk, adorned with a floral pattern. • Thigh guards (*haidate*): Composed of four rows of twelve *iyozane*-style blades connected by lacing, mounted on a matching silk backing and edged with treated leather (smoked leather). • Shin guards (*suneate*): *shino*-style, consisting of long metal blades connected by chain mail, mounted on a matching silk backing and fitted with blue *tateage* (knee guards). The armor comes with a square, black-lacquered storage chest (*yoroi'bako*) equipped with handles for carrying it on a pole. The front is adorned with a *meyui*-style emblem (*mon*) rendered in gold lacquer. Height including the chest: approximately 160 cm.