錆色の鉄製甲冑に、sangaibishi家の家紋が刻まれている。 - 金属、絹、銅、錦、漆 - Japan - 江戸時代後期（19世紀前半）

A great and complete Japanese suit of armour 当世具足 (tôsei gusoku), finished in russet-brown lacquer, laced with navy-blue silk cords and fitted with a two-piece cuirass (kasshoku’urushinuri kon’ito nimai’dô tôsei gusoku).

The ensemble comprises:
• Helmet 兜 (kabuto): An 8-plate lacquered suji’bachi kabuto (helmet with raised ridges), mounted with a gilt wooden forecrest 前立 (maedate) in the shape of a sun 日 (hi). The bowl is surmounted by a four-tiered gilt apex fitting 天辺金物 (tehen no kanamono). The four-lame itazane neck guard 錣 (shikoro) is flanked by a pair of protruding turnbacks 吹返 (fukigaeshi), both decorated with gilt appliqués in the shape of three stacked diamonds 三階菱 (sangaibishi).
• Facial armour 面頬 (menpô): A black-lacquered hanbô covering the lower face, fitted with a three-tiered textured itazane-plate throat guard 喉垂 (yodarekake). An inscription is present on the inside of the chin.
• Shoulder guards 袖 (sode): Tôsei-type, constructed of five rows of slightly arched itazane plates.
• Bracers 籠手 (kote): Shino-type, constructed with vertical metal splints connected by Japanese mail, mounted on patterned blue-and-white cotton.
• Cuirass 胴 (dô): A two-piece hotoke-dô with a smooth chest and back. The upper centre of the chest is fitted with a matching gilt crest appliqué. Suspended from the cuirass are five sections of five-lame brown-lacquered kiritsuke iyozane tassets 草摺 (kusazuri).
• Thigh guards 佩楯 (haidate): Kawara-type, composed of four rows of twelve rectangular plates mounted on matching textile.
• Shin guards 臑当 (suneate): Shino-type, constructed with long metal splints connected by Japanese mail and mounted on green cotton decorated with an orange archaic kanji pattern.

The three stacked diamond crest 三階菱 (sangaibishi) is closely associated with the Ogasawara clan, a prominent samurai family descended from the Seiwa Genji. The design consists of three diamonds of decreasing size arranged one above the other. According to Ogasawara family tradition, the crest developed from the character 王 (ō, “king”), said to have been granted to the family by Emperor Go-Daigo.

The armour is complete with a black-lacquered wooden armour storage box 鎧櫃 (yoroi’bako), fitted with iron pole-carrying handles on the sides.

Period: Japan, late Edo period (first half of the 19th century).

Dimensions:
Approx. height including box: 160 cm.

Considering its age, the armour is in very good condition with restorations and traces of age and wear to the lacquer, fabric and cords. These include some lacquer chips and craquelure to the helmet, as well as restorations to the lacquer of the hanbô. Please refer to the photographs for a clear impression of the condition.

A wooden display stand and instructions for assembly are included. Please note that the separate helmet stand shown in the photographs is not included.

When shipped, a certificate of authenticity will be included.