Red lacquered suit-of-armour (yoroi)

A Japanese red lacquered suit-of-armour (yoroi) finished with copper trims, laced with green and crimson cords, multi-coloured and orange hems and with a two-piece cuirass (kurenai’urushinuri iroiro’ito hi’suso nimaidô tôsei gusoku).

The yoroi has a great ten-plate hoshi’bachi kabuto-helmet with domed rivets. In front a pair of long brass kuwagata-antlers with in the middle a short ken-shaped maedate decorated with a copper open work scrolling foliage ornament.
The helmet has a 5-tiered brass chrysanthemum-shaped shokudô tehen’no’kanamono (decorative apex fitting), two laced neck-guards (shikoro), an orange decorative tassel (agemaki) and large back-bending fukikaeshi covered with brown decorative ‘smoked leather’ and chrysanthemum-shaped appliques.

Accompanying the helmet, is an ‘angry man’-facial mask (resseibô) with gold lacquered teeth and a separate nose-piece. Below the mask a laced four-piece gorget (yodarekake).

Protecting the shoulders is a six-piece ô’sode with copper fittings with an open work chrysanthemum design. The sode have from the sides down and at the back orange silk cords with tassels.

The arms are protected by red lacquer vertical metal pieces connected by Japanese mail (kaushi-gusari) over a light brocade with a floral motif (shino’kote).

The two-piece bucket-shaped cuirass with vertical laced red lacquer horizontal ‘itazane’-plates (mogami nimai’dô) and is bordered by decorative ‘smoked leather’. In front a pair of small and at the back a very large orange silk agemaki. From the shoulder hang a pair of so-called ‘apricot leaves’ (gyôyô). And from the cuirass hangs a laced skirt in six-parts of five-piece kusazuri. Around the waist a shiny grey silk waistband (uwa’obi) with a rich ‘treasure’-design.

The haidate that protect the upper legs consists of laced red lacquer metal karuta-plates bordered by a similar brocade and ‘smoked leather’.

The tube-shaped grieves that protect the lower legs have thin vertical red lacquer metal pieces connected by Japanese mail (shino’suneate).

With a square black lacquered a storage box of above average size:
Height 71.5 cm, Width 53 cm, Depth 44 cm.

Approx. height with box: 175 cm.
Shōwa period (1926-1989)
In a very good condition with minimal traces of age and wear. Please look at the photos for a clear condition reference.

We include a wooden stand and an explanation how to put this armour on display. When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.