Armour - Japan - Showa Period

00
days
19
hours
17
minutes
51
seconds
Current bid
€ 900
Reserve price met
Leana Nagel
Expert
Estimate  € 1,100 - € 1,300
IT
€900
IT
€850
ES
€800

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Life-size Showa-period Japanese samurai armour (gusoku) in black lacquer with orange, white and navy lacing, including kabuto with maedate, menpo, do, sode, kote and suneate, plus a wooden display stand and yoroi-bitsu storage chest; ships disassembled and will require reassembly for display; origin Japan; height 160 cm, width 55 cm, depth 35 cm; armor weight 13.5 kg (20.95 kg with chest); condition good with vivid lacquer and lacing, minor wear described.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Item Description
This is a full life-size samurai armor (yoroi-kabuto, gusoku style). For the purpose of these photographs, the armor has been fully assembled and mounted on its wooden display stand to show the complete suit; however, the armor will be shipped disassembled, with each component carefully packed inside its dedicated storage chest (yoroi-bitsu), as is traditional for this type of armor.

The cuirass (do) is finished in black lacquer with a kusazuri-style lacing (odoshi) combining orange, white, and navy blue silk cords, creating a striking layered effect across the shoulder guards (sode), tassets, and helmet crest area. A large gilt maedate crest in the shape of stylised horns rises from the front of the kabuto, complemented by ornate gilt fittings (tehen kanamono) and a lacquered menpo-style face mask with a horsehair moustache and orange sanada-himo cords.

The suit includes the full array of armour components: kabuto (helmet) with maedate, menpo (face guard), do (cuirass) with kusazuri, sode (shoulder guards), kote (armoured sleeves), and suneate (shin guards). Rich brocade fabric with a gold floral pattern lines several joints, adding a decorative contrast to the black lacquer and cord lacing. A gold mon-style crest is displayed on the back of the do.

The set includes a wooden display stand for assembling and presenting the armor at the buyer's own premises, together with its own dedicated storage chest (yoroi-bitsu), a black lacquered wooden trunk designed to store the disassembled armor components, complete with rope handles.

Given its size and the coordinated stand and storage chest, this piece is well suited both for display purposes and for those seeking an authentic representation of Japanese samurai armor craftsmanship.

The black sections, as well as the gold-colored parts of the ō-sode, kusazuri, and haidate, are made of iron.


Size
Height: 160 cm
Width: 55 cm
Depth: 35 cm

Weight
13500 g (armor only) / 20950 g (including storage chest)

Condition
The armor shows overall good display condition consistent with age, with vivid lacing colours and intact lacquer finish. Some natural wear to the cording and minor surface marks may be present, as typical of this type of decorative armor; please refer to the photographs for a detailed visual assessment.

Additional Information
Type: Life-size display samurai armor (gusoku), black-lacquered cuirass with kusazuri-style lacing
Includes: Helmet with crest, face guard, cuirass, shoulder guards, armoured sleeves, shin guards, wooden display stand, and dedicated storage chest (yoroi-bitsu)
Storage chest size: Height 54.5 cm, Width 41.5 cm, Depth 41.5 cm
Shipping note: The armor will be shipped disassembled and packed inside the storage chest (yoroi-bitsu); the display stand shown in the photographs is included but the armor will need to be reassembled by the buyer for display

NOITICE:

The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.

I appreciate your cooperation.

Seller's Story

We have been experienced as an antique dealer for more than a decade, we select and purchase high-quality products from all over Japan. I carefully select items with good taste, whether famous or not. I offer you an encounter with unknown Japanese goods. Owner Profile Name: Michito Nagahiro Born in 1986 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From an early age, I have been fascinated by the beautiful and practical designs of Japanese art, antiques, and consumer products, as well as the mindset and dedication of craftsmen and artists. I frequently visited museums and solo exhibitions as part of my daily life. In 2012, under the guidance of a top mentor in the industry, I established myself as an antique dealer, handling a wide range of items, including Japanese antiques and artworks. Since 2017, I have specialized in selling Japanese antiques and fine art, primarily in Europe, achieving over 20,000 successful sales to date. In 2019, I launched a completely free service to support individuals in Japan who experience loneliness. This initiative involves personally visiting people, engaging in conversations, sharing meals, and, if necessary, providing career advice. More than 1,000 people reach out to me annually for support. Additionally, I am committed to promoting and supporting the sales of emerging artists whose work has not yet received public recognition. My philosophy goes beyond merely selling objects—I strive to convey the stories, history, and emotions embedded in each piece. By doing so, I aim to connect people with the lives of the artists and bring inspiration to those who encounter their work.

Item Description
This is a full life-size samurai armor (yoroi-kabuto, gusoku style). For the purpose of these photographs, the armor has been fully assembled and mounted on its wooden display stand to show the complete suit; however, the armor will be shipped disassembled, with each component carefully packed inside its dedicated storage chest (yoroi-bitsu), as is traditional for this type of armor.

The cuirass (do) is finished in black lacquer with a kusazuri-style lacing (odoshi) combining orange, white, and navy blue silk cords, creating a striking layered effect across the shoulder guards (sode), tassets, and helmet crest area. A large gilt maedate crest in the shape of stylised horns rises from the front of the kabuto, complemented by ornate gilt fittings (tehen kanamono) and a lacquered menpo-style face mask with a horsehair moustache and orange sanada-himo cords.

The suit includes the full array of armour components: kabuto (helmet) with maedate, menpo (face guard), do (cuirass) with kusazuri, sode (shoulder guards), kote (armoured sleeves), and suneate (shin guards). Rich brocade fabric with a gold floral pattern lines several joints, adding a decorative contrast to the black lacquer and cord lacing. A gold mon-style crest is displayed on the back of the do.

The set includes a wooden display stand for assembling and presenting the armor at the buyer's own premises, together with its own dedicated storage chest (yoroi-bitsu), a black lacquered wooden trunk designed to store the disassembled armor components, complete with rope handles.

Given its size and the coordinated stand and storage chest, this piece is well suited both for display purposes and for those seeking an authentic representation of Japanese samurai armor craftsmanship.

The black sections, as well as the gold-colored parts of the ō-sode, kusazuri, and haidate, are made of iron.


Size
Height: 160 cm
Width: 55 cm
Depth: 35 cm

Weight
13500 g (armor only) / 20950 g (including storage chest)

Condition
The armor shows overall good display condition consistent with age, with vivid lacing colours and intact lacquer finish. Some natural wear to the cording and minor surface marks may be present, as typical of this type of decorative armor; please refer to the photographs for a detailed visual assessment.

Additional Information
Type: Life-size display samurai armor (gusoku), black-lacquered cuirass with kusazuri-style lacing
Includes: Helmet with crest, face guard, cuirass, shoulder guards, armoured sleeves, shin guards, wooden display stand, and dedicated storage chest (yoroi-bitsu)
Storage chest size: Height 54.5 cm, Width 41.5 cm, Depth 41.5 cm
Shipping note: The armor will be shipped disassembled and packed inside the storage chest (yoroi-bitsu); the display stand shown in the photographs is included but the armor will need to be reassembled by the buyer for display

NOITICE:

The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.

I appreciate your cooperation.

Seller's Story

We have been experienced as an antique dealer for more than a decade, we select and purchase high-quality products from all over Japan. I carefully select items with good taste, whether famous or not. I offer you an encounter with unknown Japanese goods. Owner Profile Name: Michito Nagahiro Born in 1986 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From an early age, I have been fascinated by the beautiful and practical designs of Japanese art, antiques, and consumer products, as well as the mindset and dedication of craftsmen and artists. I frequently visited museums and solo exhibitions as part of my daily life. In 2012, under the guidance of a top mentor in the industry, I established myself as an antique dealer, handling a wide range of items, including Japanese antiques and artworks. Since 2017, I have specialized in selling Japanese antiques and fine art, primarily in Europe, achieving over 20,000 successful sales to date. In 2019, I launched a completely free service to support individuals in Japan who experience loneliness. This initiative involves personally visiting people, engaging in conversations, sharing meals, and, if necessary, providing career advice. More than 1,000 people reach out to me annually for support. Additionally, I am committed to promoting and supporting the sales of emerging artists whose work has not yet received public recognition. My philosophy goes beyond merely selling objects—I strive to convey the stories, history, and emotions embedded in each piece. By doing so, I aim to connect people with the lives of the artists and bring inspiration to those who encounter their work.

Details

Era
1900-2000
Material
Lacquered wood
Country of origin
Japan
Condition
Good condition, see description
Height
160 cm
Width
55 cm
Depth
35 cm
Weight
13500 g
Estimated period
Showa Period
JapanVerified
5242
Objects sold
99.09%
protop

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