A nanban-do gusoku [armour] | The kabuto signed Saotome | Momoyama - Edo period, late 16th - early 17th century

The Property of a Lady

A nanban-do gusoku [armour] 

The kabuto signed Saotome

Momoyama - Edo period, late 16^th - early 17^th century

the fifty-two plate iron bowl with small standing rivets, rising into a five stage copper-gilt tehen kanamono, plain russet iron mabisashi [peak], the fukigaeshi [turnbacks] in gilded leather, the four tiered shikoro [neck guard] of black lacquer and with sugakeodoshi [spaced lacing] in dark blue braid, gold lacquer maedate [forecrest], hitosume kamon [one eye crest], the russet iron mempo [face mask] with detachable nose plate and open mouth, broad yak bristle moustache, silver lacquered teeth, red lacquer interior, three tiered yodaregake [throat protector], the heavy iron hinged do [cuirass], decorated in silver and red overlay with a dragon among crashing waves, the eyes inlaid in gilt, the reverse with further waves, the gold kanamono finely chased and engraved with chrysanthemums and foliate scrolls, all components with spaced lacing in dark blue braid, six tier sode [shoulder guards], chainmail kote [sleeves], seven tassets of five tiered kusazuri [skirt] in gilded leather, the underskirt decorated in a pale green brocade, shino suneate [shin guards], with two armour storage boxes and leather covers, and modern armour stand