Edo yoroi

An antique complete black- and russet-iron lacquered Japanese suit of armour (yoroi), laced with navy-blue cords, orange hems and composed with a 5-hinged cuirass (kuro’urushinuri kon’ito hi’suso gomai’dô tôsei gusoku), complete with two yoroi’bako.

Components:
• Kabuto 兜 (helmet):
A 62-plate russet-iron suji’bachi helmet with raised ridges. Mounted with a circular metal maedate 前立 (decorative front crest). Fitted with a six-tiered chrysanthemum-shaped copper tehen no kanamono 天辺の金物 (apex fitting), and a five-tiered black lacquered itazane shikoro 錣 (neck guard). The long, back-bending fukigaeshi 吹返 are covered in decorative smoked leather.

• Menpō 面頬 (facial armour):
A black lacquered resseibō 怒面 (fierce-faced) mask with a detachable nose piece, fitted with a long black straggly moustache. Completed with a four-tiered black lacquered itazane yodarekake (gorget).

• Sode 袖 (shoulder guards):
Tōsei-type sode, constructed of five rows of slightly arched itazane plates, lacquered black and laced with blue silk cords in sugake odoshi.

• Kote 籠手 (armoured sleeves):
Shino-type, composed of various black lacquered plates connected by Japanese mail (kaushi-gusari), mounted on brown silk fabric (showing wear).

• Dō 胴 (cuirass):
A russet-iron cuirass hinged in five sections. The central plate is hammered with bonji 梵字 (Sanskrit seed syllables), read as Kanmān. This combines KĀN, symbolising Fudō Myōō, with MAN, associated with the Mantra of Compassionate Salvation and the Fire Realm Mantra. Together they express the union of steadfastness and gentleness.
The upper edge is laced in navy silk using both sugake odoshi and kebiki odoshi, and the sides are lined with decorative smoked leather. The front is fitted with two small gilded metal cord rings with chrysanthemum backplates, while the back features a large ring set on a melon-shaped plate. The cuirass is completed with a seven-part kusazuri (tassets), each composed of five itazane plates.

• Haidate 膝当 (thigh guards):
Constructed of five rows of nineteen black lacquered oval plates, connected by kaushi-gusari over pastel orange silk. Bordered with cotton padding and decorative smoked leather.

• Suneate 脛当 (shin guards):
Shino-type, composed of long vertical metal splints connected with Japanese mail, mounted on dark golden silk and fitted with dark blue tateage (knee guards).

Complete with two red lacquered yoroi’bako 鎧櫃 (armour storage boxes), protected by a black leather cover decorated in gold lacquer with family crests on each side:
– Mitsudomoe 三ツ巴 (three swirling commas), a powerful Shinto symbol of cyclical energy
– Maru ni mitsuboshi 丸に三つ星 (three stars in a circle)

Period: Japan – Late Edo period (first half 19th century)
Dimensions: Approx. height including box 140 cm

Considering its age, the armour is in a very good restored condition, with general traces of wear consistent with age, including lacquer loss and fabric wear. Please refer to the photos for a detailed condition reference.

A wooden display stand and instructions for mounting the armour are included.
When shipped, we will add a certificate of authenticity.