A honkozane do-maru gusoku [armour] | Edo period, 18th century

A honkozane do-maru gusoku [armour] 

Edo period, 18^th - 19^th century

the black lacquered twenty-four plate iron bowl with raised ridges, five-stage copper-gilt tehen kanamono, the stenciled Dutch leather mabisashi [peak] and large fukigaeshi [turnbacks] decorated with karashishi among blossoms and dense foliage, four-tiered black lacquer shikoro [neck guard] with kebiki odoshi [close-spaced lacing] in dark blue braid, gilt metal kuwagata [stylised horns] on a kuwagata dai fixture, the gold lacquered maedate [forecrest] in the form of a karashishi, inset eyes, the patinated russet iron ressei mempo [face mask with fierce expression] forged with deep wrinkles, flared nostrils and open mouth, detachable nose plate, broad yak bristle moustache, red lacquer interior, two-tiered yodaregake [throat protector], the maru-do [cuirass that wraps around the body without hinges] in black lacquered honkozane [true lamellae], lined with stenciled Dutch leather and silk brocade, six-tiered osode [large shoulder guards], copper-gilt engraved kanagu [metal fittings], the kote [sleeves] with black lacquer plates and Chinese silk brocade lining, seven tassets of five-tiered kusazuri [skirt], the haidate [thigh guards] with black lacquered plates and lined in Chinese silk brocade, all components laced in matching braid, tsutsu style suneate [shin guards] comprised of three hinged iron plates, with an armour storage box

Mounted on the armour storage box: 145 cm., 57⅛ in. high

The armour storage box: 52 x 39 x 39 cm., 20½ x 15⅜ x 15⅜ in.