86 - A RARE AND UNUSUAL MOROHADA-NUGI-DO GUSOKU (BARE-CHESTED CUIRASS ARMOR) WITH A KAWARI KABUTO, WITH NKBKHK TOKUBETSU KICHO (ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT) SHIRYO CERTIFICATE

A RARE AND UNUSUAL MOROHADA-NUGI-DO GUSOKU (BARE-CHESTED CUIRASS ARMOR) WITH A KAWARI KABUTO, WITH NKBKHK TOKUBETSU KICHO (ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT) SHIRYO CERTIFICATE Japan, 17 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) With a Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo (Especially Important Object) certificate from the Association for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmets and Armor (Nihon Katchu Bugu Kenkyu Hozon Kai – NKBKHK), no. 2155, dated 27 October 2023. The lacquered-iron components laced in blue in the style of sukage and fitted on light-green silk brocade which conceals an armored vest manju no wa, consisting of a brigantine kikko (hexagonal segments) sewn between two layers of fabric. The armor comprises: Kabuto (helmet): A three-panel iron-kuronuri bachi in the shape of a human head (zunari), covered with uege (bearskin) and a trim of cascading horsehair around the brim, the bowl set with a pair of separately carved wood wakidate in the form of water buffalo horns, the integral deep mabisashi (brim) with embossed brows and furrowed shiwa (wrinkles) and fitted with a lacquered-wood circular maedate in the form of tsuki ni hoshi (stars by the moon), flanked by gently upturned fukigaeshi, all above five-lame jikoro with kiku-studs to the top. Menpo (Mask): A sabimono-iron ressei menpo with a removable nose plate secured by turning pins, cast with flared nostrils and an open mouth revealing gilt-lacquered teeth, below the applied horsehair mustache and above a goatee, designed with deeply embossed wrinkles, the chin with ase-nagashi, and the cheeks with bent anchoring posts, all fitted with a four-lame yodarekake. Do (Chest Plate): A rust-lacquered iron Morohada-Nugi-Do modeled in the form of a man’s exposed torso with prominent biceps and nipples, and naturalistic ripples to the stomach, the back similarly anatomically stylized and fitted with a sashimono gattari and uke-zutsu (sashimono pole holder), all laced with six sections of five-lame kusazuri, the last trimmed with bearskin. Sode (Shoulder Guard): A pair of seven-lame tosei sode. Haidate (Thigh Guard): A pair of lacquer iyo-style haidate with bearskin trim to the bottom edge. Kote (Armored Sleeves) and Tekko (Gauntlets): A pair of iron and kusari (chain mail) kote and tekko applied with kanamono in the form of foliate blossoms including kiku, sakura, and Japanese bellflower. Suneate (Shin Guards): A pair of iron and kusari (chain mail) shino-style suneate. Condition: Very good condition with expected wear. The kabuto with flaking, losses, and cracks to the lacquer, as well as expected losses and touchups to the fur. Overall presenting superbly. With an armor stand and wood storage box (yoroibako) with key. This armor is a rare example of an armor of the morohada-nugi-do gusoku type (with a cuirass that simulates a bare-chested torso) from the early Edo period (17th century). Warfare in Japan changed dramatically throughout the 16th century, with the introduction of firearms and the utilization of larger contingents of troops. This necessitated significant changes in the design of armor worn on the battlefield, including the introduction of bullet resistant materials and creation of more distinctive armor forms that would aid in making individual troops more recognizable in the chaos of battle. The morohada-nugi-do gusoku is one type of so-called “modern armor” (tōsei-gusoku), developed during this transitional period. Wearing a cuirass in the form of a bare-chested torso was not only a means of distinguishing oneself on the battlefield, it was also designed to intimidate the enemy. The zunari, or ‘head-shaped’ style helmet bowl is known to have one of the best protective functions among Japanese helmets. These helmets were crafted for functionality and with a simplicity of design in mind. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related Morohada-Nugi-Do armor, dated to the 17 th century, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 16 September 2003, New York, lot 354 (sold for USD 45,410 or approx. EUR 74,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), where it was acquired for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 2019.271a–o.