90 - MYOCHIN MUNECHIKA: A SUPERB GOMAI-DO GUSOKU (FIVE-PIECE CUIRASS ARMOR) WITH A 62-PLATE RUSSET-IRON SUJIBACHI KABUTO, BOTH THE DO AND KABUTO SIGNED

MYOCHIN MUNECHIKA: A SUPERB GOMAI-DO GUSOKU (FIVE-PIECE CUIRASS ARMOR) WITH A 62-PLATE RUSSET-IRON SUJIBACHI KABUTO, BOTH THE DO AND KABUTO SIGNED Japan, dated 1848, Edo period (1615-1868) The armor finely constructed from black-lacquered iron, predominantly laced in dark blue with multicolored and orange hems, mounted on blue and gold silk brocade, and richly embellished with gilt-metal kanamono in the form of kiku (chrysanthemum) blossoms, as well as the kaede (maple leaf) mon. The armor comprises: Kabuto (Helmet): A 62-plate russet-iron sujibachi with finely raised ridges, topped by a five-stage gilt-metal kiku-form tehen kanamono. The bowl fitted with four shiten-no-byo above corresponding hibiki-no-ana and an agemaki-no-kan to the back, suspending a violet agemaki. The mabisashi edged in gilt-metal so-fukurin and applied with three rounded bosses, surmounted by a lightweight gold-lacquered harinuki maedate in the form of a hyotan (double gourd), flanked by gently upturned fukigaeshi applied with printed leather, edged in so-fukurin, further enhanced with sakura-byo and centered by the kaede mon. The lower rim applied with four kiku-form bosses, all above the four-lame black-lacquered iron jikoro laced in dark blue, the lowest lame with multicolored and orange lacing. The kabuto signed on a rectangular gilt plaque: 明珎紀宗周作之, Myochin Ki Munechika saku kore [Made by Myochin Ki Munechika]. Menpo (Mask): An iron menpo with deeply embossed wrinkles, a removable nose plate secured by turning pins, pierced nostrils, and an open mouth with red-lacquered lips. The chin with ase-nagashi and three odome (cord-retaining studs), the cheeks with bent anchoring posts. Fitted with a four-lame black-lacquered iron yodarekake laced in dark blue, the lowest lame with multicolored and orange lacing. Do (Chest Plate): A black-lacquered iron gomai-do (five-piece cuirass) laced in dark blue, with eight sections of five-lame kusazuri, the lowest lames with multicolored and orange lacing. The chest fitted with a pair of gilt-metal kiku-form agemaki-no-kan and further embellished with gilt chrysanthemum-form mounts surrounding the cord apertures at the chest and shoulders. The back fitted with an uke-zutsu (sashimono pole holder). The interior applied with two rectangular gilt plaques, inscribed 嘉永元年戊申六月日。明珎紀宗周作之, Kaei gannen tsuchinoe-saru rokugatsu hi, Myochin Ki Munechika saku kore [Made by Myochin Ki Munechika on a day in the sixth month of the first year of the Kaei era (1848), the year of the Earth Monkey]. Sode (Shoulder Guard): A pair of five-lame black-lacquered iron sode laced in dark blue, the lowest lame with multicolored and orange lacing. Haidate (Thigh Guard): A pair of black-lacquered iron and kusari (chain mail) haidate. Kote (Armored Sleeves) and Tekko (Gauntlets): A pair of black-lacquered iron and kusari (chain mail) kote and tekko. Suneate (Shin Guards): A pair of black-lacquered iron, kusari (chain mail), and leather suneate. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear. Scattered chips and abrasions to the lacquer. Minor fraying and small losses to the lacing and textiles. With an armor stand and wood yoroi-bako (storage box). Auction comparison: Compare a related purple-laced dangae-do armor with a Myochin helmet and facemask, the helmet signed Kashu ju Muneyoshi saku and the mask signed Kashu ju Munesumi saku, dated to the 18th-19th century, at Christie's, New York, 22 September 2020, lot 66 (sold for USD 85,000 or approx. EUR 99,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Due to length restriction on Drouot this entry is shortened. For full description please visit www.zacke.at.