MOMOYAMA PERIOD (EARLY 17TH CENTURY)

Details

A HONKOZANE NIMAIDO-GUSOKU (ARMOR)
MOMOYAMA PERIOD (EARLY 17TH CENTURY)
Helmet [kabuto]:
The sixty-two-plate lacquered iron koboshi bachi (helmet bowl with small standing rivet heads) with elaborate shibuichi and gilt tehen-no-kanamono (metal fixture at the central aperture) of six-tier, the wide mabisashi (brim) hammered with eyebrows and prominent wrinkles, with the maedate (fore-crest) of gilt jyanome-mon (family crest of snake eye)
Neck guard [shikoro]:
The round red lacquered iron solid plates hineno-jikoro of five-tier with orange lacing kebikiodoshi (close-lacing), applied with the small fukigaeshi (turn-backs)
Face mask [menpo]:
The lacquered iron face mask with mustache and detachable nose, applied with two odayori no kugi (cord hook) and ase-nagashi (sweat hole) under the chin, four-tier yodarekake (bib) with matching orange lacing
Cuirass [do]:
The red lacquered iron honkozane nimaido (cuirass) of orange lacing, the munaita (breast portion) and waki-ita (under-arm portions) with gilt lacquer edging, the shoulder section fitted with three-tier kobire (small shoulder pieces) of brigandine, the six kusazuri (skirt) in five tiers of lacquered leather
Sleeves and shoulder guards [kote and sode]:
The lacquered iron oda-gote (sleeves with gourds on chains), the lacquered iron chu-sode (shoulder guards) of shittsukezane (plate in semblance of individual lamellae) laced in orange
Thigh protector and lower leg guards [haidate and sune-ate]:
The shino-haidate (thigh guard) and shino sune-ate (lower leg guards) of red lacquered iron splints
Accessories:
With a wood armor storage chest
Accompanied by a certificate No.23092596 as Tokubetsu hozon issued by the Kokusai Nihon Kachu Bugu Shinko Kyokai (International Society for the Promotion of Japanese Armor)

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.

Conditions of sale

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

The emergence of modern armor, also known as Tosei gusoku, can be traced back to the Warring States period of late 16th century, but it was during the Momoyama period (late 16th to early 17th century) that it reached its full potential. The increasing number of wars during the late 16th century, especially group battles, demanded a new type of armor that could be mass-produced while still providing good defense. The modern armor was designed to offer full protection, functionality, and mobility for both horseback riding and walking.
In the past, people used to wear different types of armor based on their hierarchy, but the advent of modern armor marked a shift in mindset towards the "gekokujo" philosophy, which emphasized the idea of the low overcoming the high. The production of modern armor was based on the fundamental structure of classic armor (domaru and haramaki), while incorporating new materials and cutting techniques. This resulted in the creation of more than a hundred sub-types of armor.
The present lot appears to be a functional armor that has seen battlefields, rather than a ceremonial or display armor, based on its material and structure. The armor's relatively light weight provides flexibility to the wearer and all-around defense, making it more practical for use in combat situations.

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