Japanese Suit of Armor, late second or early third quarter Edo period (18th or 19th century), with hinged breast plate, mail sleeves and lacquer ware helmet, armor, h. 31" (collar to hem), w. 14" (shoulder to shoulder), helmet, l. 13-1/2", w. 12-5/8". This suit is very similar to one illustrated on pages 107 and 133 of Bottomley & Hopson (q.v.). In Japanese this type is referred to as "Hon iyozane nuinobe do" due to its construction and the manner in which the plates were manufactured. These plates or scales are of brown lacquer and were made to resemble earlier ones that were covered with leather. The plates and other components of the suit are assembled utilizing dark blue silken cords. The breastplate is hinged under the left arm and laced under the right. On the backplate is a brass or bronze bow-shaped metal bracket (gattari) used for securing the identifying flag (sashimono) worn on the battlefield. The collar/shoulder guards (tate eri) are made of kikko, defined as "hexagonal plates sewn between layers of fabric". The sleeves (oda gote; p. 118, ibid.) are of an elaborate chain mail construction and are covering the original cotton under-fabric. The links are laid out in a square pattern (so gusari) interspersed with symbolic gourd-shaped plates and identifying mon. The forearm protection is reinforced with steel splints, and just above is a rectangular plate embossed with an elaborate, unidentified, four-lobed mon. The elbows are reinforced with a sunburst plate surrounded by a segmented, gadrooned ring. The lacquered plate epaulettes at the top of the oda gote and the gauntlets are overlaid with a group of unidentified mon or insignia, consisting of an assemblage of rings and peonies of various complexity, all cut from the same metal. The helmet (jingasa) is of lacquer ware construction in black with a vermilion interior, emblazoned on the front in gold with an unidentified mon, and complete with a cotton liner and chinstraps. A gadrooned white metal crest is centered on top, accompanied by an elaborate swiveling hanging loop of similar metal.

Overall Condition: Very Good. The breastplate suffers minor losses to the lacquer, with some crazing/cracking. The skirt/tassets have some minor chipping to the edges of the plates. Across the shoulders some lacquer has been lost due to rubbing and stress. All fabric components are lightly worn with some fraying to the edges that is commensurate with age. The sleeves' chain mail and mounts are lightly rusted and oxidized where lacquer has been lost. The gauntlets' lacquer has some minor losses. The toggles attaching the shoulder plate to the front breastplate are missing. The blue silk cords are generally good but have some wear at the stress points. The jingasa is chipped at various points around the rim, and the internal suspension has a bit of fraying as well.