EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)

Details

A RED-LACED GOLD LACQUER HONKOZANE DOMARU-GUSOKU (ARMOR)
EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)
Helmet [kabuto]:
The thirty-two-plate suji kabuto (ridged helmet) of rounded form, with elaborate gilt, shibuichi and copper hachimanza (decorative fixture at the central aperture) of six-tier, with gilt kuwagata-dai (fixture for two gilt horns) applied with kiri-mon and support for the maedate (fore-crest) of lacquered wood dragon

Neck guard [shikoro]:
The round shikoro (neck guard) of five-tier shittsukezane (plate in semblance of individual lamellae) of gold lacquered iron plates laced in red,the large double fukigaeshi (turn-backs) clad with leather with gilt kiri-mon

Face mask [menpo]:
The black lacquered iron menpo (facemask) with detachable nose, red lacquered interior, applied with the ase-nagashi (sweat hole) and odayori nokugi (cord hooks) under the chin, with five-tier yodarekake (bib) of lacquered iron shittsukezane (plate in semblance of individual lamellae) with hinges

Cuirass [do]:
The gold lacquered iron honkozane domaru (cuirass) of red lacing kebikiodoshi (close-lacing), the sendan no ita and kyubi no ita applied with kiri-mon, the seven kusazuri (skirt) in five tiers of shittsukezane (plate in semblance of individual lamellae)

Sleeves and shoulder guards [kote and sode]:
The lacquered iron sanbon tsutsugote (sleeves), o-sode (wide shoulder guards) of lacquered honkozane in seven tiers applied with gilt mounts pierced with scrolling chrysanthemums, incised gilt edging

Thigh protector and lower leg guards [haidate and sune-ate]:
The gold lacquered leather kawara haidate (thigh protectors with iron plates in the form of roof tiles), the gold lacquered iron sanbon tsutsusuneate (lower leg guards)

Accessories:
The saihai (paper signal baton) and lacquered gunsen (war fan) with a sun, a sashimono (personal flag) with mitsudomoe-mon, one lacquered and another wood armor storage boxes

Accompanied by a certificate of registration as a Juyo bunka shiryo (Important cultural material) no. 720 issued by the Nihon Katchu Bugu Kenkyu Hozon Kai (Japanese Armor Preservation Society), dated 2022.5.22

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

tmurakami@christies.com +1 212 636 2160

Lot Essay

The custom of making armors in classic style for both ceremonial and ritual use dates from the late Muromachi period (1392 - 1604), but was universal among the daimyo (provincial lords) during the Edo period (1604 - 1868). Such ritual armors were very expensive and worn only on certain occasions like the annual passage in and out of the capital city, Edo, but often displayed on festive occasions or dates in respect of ancestors. The custom continued even after the end of the Edo period when armor no longer fulfilled a practical function.

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