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Specialists in Fine Japanese Arms and Armour

Tachi-dō Gusoku

FULL SUIT OF JAPANESE ARMOUR

Age: Mid-Edo period. 17th century. 江戸時代 chuki 中期

Japan: Iron, lacquer, silk, wood, gold

Provenance: Private collection in Japan

Exhibition: Mononofu Katchu
Mayfair London. 14th-15th May 2022

Status: Available 

Description:
Hon kozane maru tachi-dō [wrap around cuirass made from individual scales] in black lacquer with blue lacing in the kebiki [complex] style. Etchu zunari kabuto [head shaped] with russet iron hachi [bowl] with yasurime [incised decorative grooves] five lame hineno kiritsuke ko zane shikoro [neck guard in mock hon kozane] laced in the kebiki style. Shu urushi nuri ressei men-no-shita menpo [red lacquered face mask] with four lame kiritsuke kon zane suga [throat guard].

Ko-gusoku [other parts] medium size kiritsuke ko zane chu-sode [shoulder guards] of six lames laced in the kebiki style. The kote [sleeves] are of the oda style featuring iron fittings and chain mail, the haidate [apron] is constructed of kiritsuke ko zane numbering five lames laced in the kebiki odoshi style. Five lame shino-suneate [shin guards] with kikko-gane [hexagonal knee guard].
Supplied with a yoroi-tate [armour display stand] and yoroi-bitsu with [armour travel storage box] with outer black lacquered leather cover with gold mon [crests].

Inoue Shi: 
The Inoue clan (井上氏, Inoue-shi) was a samurai clan which came to prominence from the late Kamakura through Edo periods in Japanese history, descending from the Seiwa Genji. Mention of an Inoue surname is found in Nara period records; however, the Inoue clan which later became prominent in the Edo period traces its antecedents to the Seiwa Genji line founded by Minamoto no Yorisue, grandson of Minamoto no Mitsunaka in the late Heian period. Minamoto no Yorisue settled in Inoue in Takai District, Shinano Province, and this was the main branch, but there were other branches in Harima, Aki and Mikawa Provinces. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, the Inoue, as hereditary vassals of the Tokugawa clan, was classified as one of the fudai daimyō clans. Following the Meiji Restoration, the clan was appointed Viscount.

Authenticity:
Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Hozon 特別保存 (Special cultural material) No.12042142 issued by the Kokusai Nihon Katchū Bugu Shinkō Kyōkai 国際日本甲冑武具振興協会 (International Society for the Promotion of Japanese Armor)

Published:
Tachi-dō Gusuko Catalogue DB002 2022

Inventory Number
DB002