A Tosei Gusoku

EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)

Details

A Tosei Gusoku
Edo Period (19th Century)
The three plate hineno form helmet covered in black bear fur, the peak russet lacquered, the five plate neck guard [shikoro] with small black lacquered fukigayeshi, the gold lacquered crest [maedate] in the form of a yamabushi [priest's hat], the iron Nara style face mask [menpo] with a hair moustache and gilded copper teeth, cuirass [do] of ni mai tachi form in two pieces, hinged at the left side, the matching tassets having the lower plate trimmed with bear fur, on the back the bracket and socket for the banner [sashimono], sleeves in the style called bishamon gote having shoulder guards permanently attached to the upper arm, the other plates of gold lacquered iron, thigh guards of mail with gilded iron insets, and spatulate shinguards [suneate] of black lacquered iron, all laced in pale tea colour close lacing [cha iro kebiki odoshi]

Lot Essay

The term tosei gusoku refers in general to the styles of armour developed during the Momoyama period and later, and differentiates them from the earlier o-yoroi, do-maru and haramaki styles of armour. Generally they were simpler in form and construction and more suited to the prevalent type of warfare.

This armour is entirely in the style of the Momoyama period (1573-1615) although of later manufacture. Small banners worn on the back [sashimono] were common on armours of this period.

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