A byotoji yokohagi-do gusoku [armour] | Edo period, 18th century

A byotoji yokohagi-do gusoku [armour] 

Edo period, 18^th century

the fine sixty-two plate iron bowl with raised ridges, terminating in a five-stage copper-gilt and shakudo tehen kanamono of typical stylised chrysanthemum form, russet iron mabisashi [peak] the fukigaeshi [turnbacks] applied with copper-gilt agari-fuji ni dai no ji mon [ascending wisteria crests with dai character crests], nawame fukurin [ornamental border with rope impression], five-tiered solid plate shikoro [neck guard] with sugake odoshi [spaced lacing] in dark blue braid, gold and black lacquered circular maedate [forecrest] decorated with a further agari-fuji ni dai no ji mon, above kuwagata [stylised horns] fixture, patinated russet iron mempo forged in ryubu style with smooth, unwrinkled face and open mouth, detachable nose plate, red? lacquer interior, three-tiered yodaregake [throat protector] laced in matching braid, the russet iron do [cuirass] hinged in two pieces and comrpised of vertical iron plates rivetted together, hammered with stylised blossoms to some of the rivets, five-tiered sode [shoulder guards], chainmail hyotan-gote [sleeves with gourd-shaped embellishments], orange silk brocade lining, the tekko [guantlets], hammered, chased and engraved with chrysanthemums, seven tassets of five-tiered kusazuri [skirt], chainmail haidate [thigh guards] lined with further silk brocade, shino suneate [shin guards], accompanied with three white and blue silk hata [flags] each decorated with dai no ji under torii gates and further agari-fuji ni dai no ji mon, gold and black lacquered stands, wood bases, with an armour display stand and armour storage boxes