YOKOHAGI OKEGAWA DO | Christie's

YOKOHAGI OKEGAWA DO

Details

YOKOHAGI OKEGAWA DO
Mainly Mid Edo peirod

The three-plate helmet is covered with fur and horse hair, the fukigaeshi with Buddhist swastika (manji mon), in place of the usual shikoro, it has an unusual chain mail cape which protects the neck and shoulders; the well forged russet iron mempo, its pointed nose formed as the bill of a black-eared kite, with throat guard ; the do of two-piece horizontal plate (yokohagi okegawa) form inlaid in silver with several mon, the hip guards red laced and trimmed with black bear fur; the matching shoulder guards are half with russet iron plates and half with scales; armoured sleeves in russet iron in the form of Western chain mail; the thigh guards in the form of Japanese roof tiles; and black lacquered shinguards, mainly circa 1750

Lot Essay

Using animal fur and birds' feather for the helmet became very popular around the end of the Muromachi period, not only for a menacing effect but for protecting the helmet from humidity and dryness

The fine silver inlaid mon include paulownia (kiri), flower diamond (hanabishi), butterfly (cho), water plantain (omodaka), etc.

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