A complete samurai armour 具足 (gusoku) comprising a nimai yokohagi okegawa-dô 二枚横矧桶側胴 (two-piece horizontal-plated cuirass), fitted with a sixty-two plate koboshi kabuto 小星兜 (helmet with small rivets) and a finely modelled ressei menpô 烈勢面頬 (fierce warrior face mask). The armour is predominantly laced in dark blue and orange and mounted with gold and blue brocade. Throughout, it is adorned with decorative metal fittings featuring scrolling foliage motifs and the sagarifuji-mon 下がり藤紋 (falling wisteria crest), associated with the Fujiwara clan 藤原氏. The iron koboshi kabuto features a sixty-two plate bowl with prominent standing small rivets and is crowned by an elaborate five-tiered chrysanthemum-form tehen kanamono 天辺金物 (decorative apex fitting). The lacquered mabizashi 眉庇 (visor) is mounted with a gilt-wood maedate 前立 in the form of a leaping moon rabbit, flanked by upturned fukigaeshi 吹返 (face guards) displaying the gilt-metal Fujiwara family crests. The helmet is completed with a four-lame itazane shikoro 錣 (neck guard). The armour retains a striking ressei menpô, lacquered in sabiji-nuri 錆地塗 to imitate aged iron. The mask is characterised by deeply modelled facial features, a stiff moustache, a chin tuft, and an open mouth revealing gilt teeth. The upper lip is highlighted in red lacquer, while the cheeks are accentuated with pronounced wrinkles. Attached is a four-lame itazane yodarekake 喉輪 (throat guard). The nimai yokohagi okegawa-dô cuirass combines black lacquered kozane 小札 and gold lacquered iyozane 伊予札, both executed in kiritsuke style. It is fitted with seven sections of five-lame kusazuri 草摺 protecting the lower body and retains an uke-zutsu 受筒 (support for a flag-pole) on the reverse for supporting a sashimono banner. The front is mounted with a chrysanthemum-form ring adorned with an agemaki 揚巻 (decorative knot) and both sides enriched with six circular medallions bearing auspicious characters. These six medallions bear the characters 八 (hachi, eight), 天 (ten, heaven), 春 (haru, spring), 修 (shû, cultivation), 兵 (hei, soldier), and 闘 (tô, battle), forming a series of auspicious and martial references. The armour further includes a matching pair of five-lame lacquered chû sode 中袖 (shoulder guards), kawara haidate 佩楯 (thigh guards), iron and Japanese mail (kaushi-gusari) Hisago-type 瓠 (bottle gourd) kote 籠手 (armoured sleeves), and a pair of shino suneate 脛当 (shin guards). The armour is accompanied by its original red lacquered wooden yoroibako 鎧櫃 (armour storage box). Period: Japan – Edo period (1615–1868) Approx. dimensions: Height 160 cm, Width 55 cm, Depth 50 cm. Considering its age, the armour is in very good condition, with wear consistent with age and use, including some soiling, corrosion, age cracks, flaking and minor losses to the lacquer, losses to the facial hair, and minor restorations to the maedate. Please refer to the photographs for a clear condition reference. The Fujiwara clan 藤原氏 was one of the most influential aristocratic families in Japanese history, dominating court politics for centuries through their role as imperial regents. The falling wisteria crest seen throughout this armour is one of the clan's best-known heraldic emblems. We include a wooden stand and instructions on how to display the armour. When shipped, we will add a certificate of authenticity. NB: Please note that the helmet stand is not included.