A nanban-do gusoku [armour with European style cuirass] | Momoyama - Edo period, late 16th - early 17th century

Armour from an Important Private European Collection

A nanban-do gusoku [armour with European style cuirass] 

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

the eleven plate russet iron bowl of shii-nari [acorn-shaped] form, terminating in a copper ring tehen kanamono, the mabisashi [peak] with hammered brow, small black lacquer fukigaeshi [turnbacks], three-tiered gold lacquer shikoro [neck guard] with kebiki odoshi [close-spaced lacing] in dark blue braid, the maedate [forecrest] in the form of a five-storied pagoda, the russet iron mempo [face mask] of tanuki [racoon dog] form, three-tiered yodaregake [throat protector] in matching braid, the heavy iron nanban do [cuirass] hinged in two pieces and comprised solid iron plates with standing rivets, five-tiered sode [shoulder guards], chainmail kote [sleeves], seven tassets of five-tiered kusazuri [skirt], all components laced in matching braid, chainmail and haidate [thigh guards] with blue silk brocade lining, shino suneate [shin guards], with an armour display stand and a modern armour stroage box  

Mounted on the armour storage box: 140.5 cm., 55¼ in. high 

The armour storage box: 52.5 x 41.5 x 41.5 cm., 20⅝ x 16¼ x 16¼ in.