94 - A COMPOSITE ARMOR WITH A RUSSET-IRON OKEGAWA NIMAI-DO GUSOKU (TWO-PIECE CUIRASS ARMOR) AND A SUJIBACHI KABUTO

A COMPOSITE ARMOR WITH A RUSSET-IRON OKEGAWA NIMAI-DO GUSOKU (TWO-PIECE CUIRASS ARMOR) AND A SUJIBACHI KABUTO Japan, Edo period (1615-1868) The russet-iron components predominantly laced in ochre and orange, and mounted on pale green and blue fabric. The chest prominently decorated with a large gold-painted stylized bonji associated with Bato Kannon, while the helmet bears a gilt-metal maedate displaying the sumitate yotsume mon (four-eye crest), associated with the Shinozuka clan. The armor comprises: Kabuto (Helmet): A twenty-plate russet-iron sujibachi kabuto with a rounded bowl with raised ridges, fitted with four shiten-no-byo (vestigial rivets) and pierced with hibiki-no-ana fitted with decorative cord knots, topped by a three-stage copper-alloy kiku-form tehen kanamono, the mabisashi of typical form and decorated with three rounded bosses, and surmounted by a circular gilt-metal maedate finely worked with the sumitate yotsume mon, associated with the Shinozuka clan, in relief against a ring-punched ground, flanked by broad, gently upturned fukigaeshi, all above the four-lame jikoro densely laced in ochre, the upper lame decorated with four kiku-shaped bosses, the lowest lame accented with orange lacing. Menpo (Mask): A russet-iron menpo with a removable nose plate secured by pins, the nose with pierced nostrils, an open mouth, all fitted with a three-lame iron yodarekake, the lowest lame with orange lacing. Do (Chest Plate): A russet-iron yokohagi okegawa nimai-do (two-piece cuirass), constructed of horizontal plates and densely laced in ochre, with seven sections of five-lame kusazuri, the lowest lames with orange lacing. The large chest plate prominently decorated in gold with a variant of a stylized bonji associated with Bato kannon. Sode (Shoulder Guards): A pair of seven-lame russet-iron sode, the lowest lame accented with orange lacing. Haidate (Thigh Guards): A pair of black-lacquered iron haidate, the plates secured by rows of rivets and each decorated with a large gold-painted hishi (lozenge) framing a circular medallion. One inscribed 中六十六 Naka rokuju-roku [Number 66 of the middle]. Kote (Armored Sleeves) and Tekko (Gauntlets): A pair of russet-iron and kusari (chain mail) kote and tekko. Condition: Very good condition with old wear. The maedate reinforced to the clip, flaking to the gold-painted decoration on the haidate and slightly to the bonji on the chest plate, the lacing with minor soiling. With an armor stand and wood storage box (yoroibako) inscribed in gold with the character 前 mae [front].