Armour - Antique - Japan - 1750-1800 Mid Edo period

SENDAI SAMURAI ARMOR .
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Iron black lacquered armor with a 5 sections cuirass made in Japan circa 1750 -1800
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This Sendai Japanese armor is a typical iron armor originates from the Sendai feudal domain, located in the Tohoku region of northeastern Honshu island in Japan .
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It was popularized by the powerful Samurai Date surnomé le dragon d' Oshu
Masamune 奥州の独眼 - Oshủ no Dokuganryū.
He equipped his army with very thick and strong armor called Yukinoshita, featuring large plates with few lacings to protect against Tanegashima firearms balls. Later in the Edo period this type of new Sendai armor was created , using more lacing, strong but lighter and offering greater mobility .
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The KABUTO, a suji-bachi was made in iron with 18 plates. Then the hachi was lacquered in black. The shikoro protecting the neck and the
fukigaeshi were first black lacquered then gilded certainly a special commission at high cost and showing the taste of the owner . The shikoro with blue silk lacings odoshi in sugake odoshi technique, a Typical Sendai kabuto .
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The MAEDATE . frontal ornement is a crescent moon-shaped . It was crafted from wood black lacquered and finally gilded. This maedate moon-shaped was comonly used by the Sendai clans .
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The MENPO, an iron black-laquered menpo of the noble Ryubu-men style featuring a red- lacquered interior. A detachable nose piece and an open mouth. The yodare-kake protecting the front part of the neck is composed of 3 iron plates black lacquered and laced in blue silk, in sugake technique. Its construction and specific shape is a characteristic od the mask used by the Sendai clans .
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The DO. a rare Sendai-do also called Oshu-do is characteristic of the Sendai clans or his retainers An iron black lacquered go-maido with a 5 sections in the Sendai stvle interconnected by hinges
The interior of the plastron features protective brown nerikawa/leather designed to protect the body during movement and ensure better comfort.
The kusazuri suspended plates are arranged in 8 sections of 5 iron plates, laced with blue silk odoshi using the sugake odoshi technique .
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The SODE ,a pair of sode protecting the shoulders.Complete and equipped with kohaze designed to attach directly to the armor. Each sode is composed of 6 plates made in iron then black lacquered .
Lacing with blue silk odoshi in sugake technique .
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The KOTE, a pair of kote made with iron then black lacquered .
Armored sleeves protecting the arms featuring plates linked by kusari / chainmails laced with blue silk.
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The HAIDATE thigh guards is composed of rows of iron plates ioined with kusari/chainmails each plate was black lacquered then gilded at high cost . The plates are stiched on a heavy fabric backing in good condition .
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The SUNEATE ,a pair of suneate composed of iron plates protecting the ankles .
The suenate are made in iron ,black laquered then gilded .The suneate components feature an exterior of fine silk brocade and the reverse side is lined with hemp to ensure breathability and durability .
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THe GUSOKU-BITSU . box of the armor for storage and transport.
Rectangular in shape ,made from paulownia wood then lacquered and with iron parts .
Size is : 39 cm / 52cm / 36 cm
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This complete armor from Sendai Tohoku region showcases a rare Yukinoshita -
Oshu-do- five-sections cuirass with a perfect menpo and maedate , seamlessly pairing robust
practical protection with gilded parts ,the visual prestige associated with the retainers of Date Masamune.
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Good patina and general condition, 18 kg ,Art item of more 200 vears old .handle with care .
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A vivid testimony to the legacy of the Samurai, an authentic and historic piece deserves the highest care .
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For a Japanese or Samurai collection .
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Cause technical problem no shipping to Spain,