A fine Yoshitsune-gote do-maru gusoku [armour] | The mempo signed Hirosaki ju Myochin Ki no Munekata Moriyoshi saku (made by Myochin Ki Munekata Moriyoshi, a resident of Hirosaki) | Edo period, 18th - 19th century

A fine Yoshitsune-gote do-maru gusoku [armour]

The mempo signed Hirosaki ju Myochin Ki no Munekata Moriyoshi saku (made by Myochin Ki Munekata Moriyoshi, a resident of Hirosaki)

Edo period, 18^th - 19^th century 

the twenty-four plate russet iron bowl of twenty-four plates with standing rivets, the ornate riveted shinodare [ornamental strip] pierced, chased and engraved with scrolling foliage, three-stage copper-gilt tehen kanamono of typical chrysanthemum form, stenciled Dutch leather mabisashi [peak], the fukigaeshi [turnbacks] similarly decorated and applied with maru no uchi ni mitsu hikiryo mon [encircled triple Hikiryo crest], copper-gilt fukurin [ornamental border] engraved with foliate scrolls and nanako, three-tiered black lacquer manju-jikoro [rounded neck guard] with kebiki odoshi [close-spaced lacing] in dark blue braid, gilt metal kuwagata [stylised horns] on a kuwagata-dai fixture, the fine reisei mempo [face mask with fierce expression] forged with deep wrinkled face, flared nostrils and open mouth, detachable nose plate, broad yak bristle moustache, red lacquer interior, three-tiered yodaregake [throat protector] in honkozane [true lamellae] and matching braid, honkozane do-maru [cuirass that wraps around the body without hinges] with stenciled Dutch leather edging and copper-gilt fukurin, six-tiered osode [large shoulder guards], chainmail kote [sleeves], the forearms decorated in gold and black hiramaki-e and takamaki-e with chrysanthemums and geometric pattern in the style of Yoshitsune-gote [Yoshitsune sleeves], the tekko [gauntlets] with butterflies among foliage, fine blue silk brocade lining with dragon roundels, stylised blossoms and clouds, seven tassets of five-tiered kusazuri [skirt], the honkozane haidate [thigh guards] also lined in silk brocade, shino suneate [shin guards], with an armour storage box

Mounted on its armour storage box: approx. 154 cm., 60⅝ in. high (excluding helmet fittings)

The armour storage box: 65 x 82 x 48 cm., 25⅝ x 32¼ x 18⅞ in. 

Please note that the wood armour display stand illustrated is not included in this lot. An armour stand can be ordered from the department.