Lot 88
EDO PERIOD (1603-1868), 19TH CENTURY
A spectacular example of an O-Yoroi armor. The 18-plate russet iron and silk lined Hoshi-bachi kabuto (star helmet bowl) with protruding o-boshi (large rivet) heads of rounded form in the ancient style, the front and back covered with gilded plates overlaid with shinodare arrows, a three-stage tehen kanamono and copper kasajirushi-no kan (ring for helmet flag). On the front, gilt kuwagata-dai and mitsu kuwagata of a spear and stylised antlers, leather-clad fukigaeshi [turnbacks] with gilt mitsu-kiku-ni-maru (family mon) and two-plate itazane manju shikoro (rounded neck-guard). The black lacquered ressei menpo (mask with fierce expression) with impressive hair moustache and gilt teeth with red pigment on the interior, a four-lame yodarekake (throat guard); o-sode (shoulder guards) of hon kozane, Yoshitsune gote (arm guards) in the traditional style and plates joined by soft-metal mail, the do (main trunk armor) of classic hon kozane lamellar, over which hang the sendan and kyubi no ita (armpit guards), the Hodo haidate (thigh guards) also of hon kozane, with a black-lacquered wood saihai (signal baton) of gilt silver paper and silver kanagu fittings, o-tateage suneate (Iron shin guards) with continued gilt mitsu-kiku-ni-maru (family mon) and pair of Kegutsu shoes trimmed with bear fur and lacquered on underside. Contained in a six-legged karabitsu (storage box).
163cm high seated on box
Estimate $8,000 - $10,000
Overall presented in very good condition with main wear associated with verso of arm guards and thigh protectors including fraying and losses to silk. Helmet strap and shin guard straps are frayed consistent with age and use.
LJ delivery size: Large
The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect articles for sale at our pre-sale viewing where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice.
Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.
O-yoroi was typically a rich man's armor and mainly worn by higher ranking samurai on horseback. This type of armor flourished during the Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura periods (1185-1333), gradually went out of fashion in the Nanbokucho period (1336-92), and was revived in the Edo period as per this example.
Decorative Arts and Asian Art, Including Tribal Artefacts
AUCTION
Sale: LJ8372
12:00pm - 20 October 2020
333 Malvern Rd, South Yarra 3141
VIEWING
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CONTACT
Dominic Kavanagh
decorativearts@leonardjoel.com.au
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