A fine and rare Wakisaka nimai-do gusoku [armour] | Momoyama - Edo period, late 16th century - early 17th century

A fine and rare Wakisaka nimai-do gusoku [armour]

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

the three-plate iron bowl of tall eboshi-nari [court-cap shaped] form, finely decorated overall with nami hakeme-nuri [combed waves] on a sabiji-nuri [simulated russet iron] lacquer ground, the lateral plates with large wachigai mon [chain-linked circles crests] in gold lacquer, sabiji-nuri mabisashi [peak], four-tiered sabiji-nuri itamono Hineno-jikoro [close-fitted neck guard with solid plates] with sugake odoshi [spaced lacing] in white, green and blue braid, the sabiji-nuri hanbo [half mask] with red lacquer interior, four-tiered yodaregake [throat protector] laced in matching braid, the lacquered do [cuirass] hinged in two pieces and boldly decorated with a further wachigai mon, six-tiered sode [shoulder guards], chainmail kote [sleeves] with silk lining depicting peonies among scrolling foliage in gold and yellow brocade, seven tassets of four tiered kusazuri [skirt] with kebiki odoshi [close-spaced lacing], all components with nami hakeme-nuri on a sabiji ground and laced in matching braid, the haidate [underskirt] comprised of sabiji-nuri lacquered plates and lined with silk brocade, shino suneate [shin guards], with an armour display stand and armour storage box