MUROMACHI PERIOD (16TH CENTURY)

Details

A FINE BLUE LACING HARAMAKI-DO (BODY ARMOR)
MUROMACHI PERIOD (16TH CENTURY)
The haramaki-do (body armor) of honkozane (small individual scales laced together) laced in blue, the iron munaita (breast portion), waki-ita (under-arm portions) and oshitsuke no ita (upper rear plate) of stenciled leather with gilt edging and fittings, the five-tier seven tasset kusazuri (skirt) of lacquered leather with orange hishinui (cross knotting)

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Brought to you by

Takaaki Murakami (村上高明) Vice President, Specialist and Head of Department | Korean Art

tmurakami@christies.com +1 212 636 2160

Lot Essay

During the Kamakura period (1192-1333), the mounted high-ranking samurai warriors wore o-yoroi while the lighter armored foot soldiers wore either haramaki (a cuirass opening down the back) or domaru (opening on the right side). However with the coming of the Muromachi period (1333-1573) a sudden increase in warfare brought great changes. Much of the fighting was done on foot and the heavy o-yoroi became something of a liability so the lighter do-maru and haramaki of the foot soldier were upgraded to use by the high-ranking samurai warriors. The large o-sode (shoulder guards) were still worn but the helmets were lighter. A mixture of leather and iron lamellae reduced the weight of the do (cuirass)and the wide kusazuri (skirt) allowed freedom of movement for the legs.

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