Japanese Armor

Antique Japanese pair of armor boxes. Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and lacquered a deep reddish orange color with black details. Iron hardware including carrying handles. The crest is that of two crossing hawk feathers (Takanoha), possibly the crest of the Abe Clan. The Abe Clan (安倍氏, Abe-shi) was a samurai family that was close to the Tokugawa shogunate.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 19 1/2" high x 14 3/4" wide x 14 1/4" deep (each box)

Antique Japanese mixed metal kabuto (samurai helmet) and iron mempo (samurai face guard) mounted on metal stands.
The kabuto is also listed separately as item #1464528. A rare example Japanese zunari kabuto (samurai helmet) made all of iron with a mixed metal (gold & silver) design of a dragon in swirling clouds. The eyes and whiskers of the dragon are inlaid gold and it's body coils all the way around the hachi (dome). The mabizashi (visor) is edged in bronze and decorated with more wis...

Rare maedate (frontal element of the Japanese helmet) representing a Ho-oh (phoenix). The bird is in cut, embossed and chiseled copper. Red oxide patina, gilding and silvering. Metal maedates are very rare and almost always made of iron. The most common, without much interest, are made of wood. This one is an exceptional model in terms of material, quality, interesting subject matter and the shape elegantly occupies the allocated space. Before I found out, this poor Maedate was crucified on a wo...

Antique Japanese Yokohagi Okegawa Dō samurai armor of the Edo Period (early 19th century). The kabuto (helmet) is of 64 ken plate construction with a dramatic maedate in the form of a dragon fish flanked by cresting waves. As the story tells, the gods took notice of a koi fish who was trying to swim up a waterfall, rewarding its perseverance by changing it into a dragon. The dragon fish became a symbol of strength and determination in the face of an uphill battle - an appropriate symbol for ...

A rare example Japanese zunari kabuto (samurai helmet) made all of iron with a mixed metal (gold & silver) design of a dragon amongst swirling clouds. The eyes and whiskers of the dragon are inlaid gold and it's body coils all the way around the hachi (dome). The mabizashi (visor) is edged in bronze and decorated with more wisps of clouds. The underside of the visor shows traces of original red lacquer. The shikoro (neck guard) has five layers and shows traces of black lacquer.

Age...

Japanese iron helmet inlaid with silver and gold. Made by 6 riveted iron plates. The dragon and cloud inlay is damascened (nunome zogan), the water drops in silver are in strong relief. At the front is riveted a circular steel plate representing a dragon. Signed by Shige Katsu. At the beginning of the 17th century, a Myochin Shige Katsu was working for the Date clan in Sandaï, it is certainly him. The shikoro has been added, it is in chiseled iron with clouds, I think it is older than the bo...

An exempliary Japanese 18th century Edo Period Myochin school iron somen (full facial armor). Constructed in three sections producing a very expressive fearsome face. The stylized curled eyebrows, bulging eyes, forehead wrinkles repouse in high relief.
The bulbous noise and upper lip is riveted on. The mouth section has two large rings on the cheeks and is hinged to the upper face portion. The chin has two cord pegs. The sides have iron coverings to protect he ears. The mustache is ...

19th century Japanese kozuka (sword knife) handle depicting a long arrow and a segment of samurai’s armor with cord, all on the background of a stone castle wall. Unusual and elegant piece, wonderful crisp work - see the textures of the feathers on the arrow and silk wrappings holding together metal plates constituting the armor. Gilding, finely textured ground, in excellent condition. Length 3 13/16 inches.

Antique Japanese meadate in the form of a hornet, hand forged iron with gilt brass plate. Mounted on a stand.

Edo Period (1603-1868)

Dimensions: Total including stand 7" high (meadate only 4 1/2" high)

Antique Japanese pair of abumi (samurai stirrups for horse riding). Made of iron and lacquered black with red lacquer foot. Each abumi is decorated with designs of kiri blossoms in gold lacquer. The buckle of each stirrup has an intricate pierced design and mon in gold lacquer. (Mounted on matching stands made of metal with wooden bases.)

Edo Period (early 1800's)

Dimensions: 16 3/4" high (10 3/4" high without stand) x 12" long x 5 1/2" wide.

A signed, matched, pair of Abumi with a geometric design of interwoven maple leafs. The design has been hand chiselled and inlaid with silver and bronze. The stirrups measure 11" long x 5 1/4" wide x 10 1/4" high, and date to the late Edo period. The maker has inlaid his Name and City on both stirrups and this translate as follows: "Made by Yamada Nagamoto living in Kanazawa". Nagamoto is the seventh generation Yamada chiseller to work at Kanazawa, and he was born in 1810. The Yamada Family...

The tatami armor was used by foot soldiers, archers, and spearmen. Its a lightweight armor which allowed the warriors to be more swift and fluid with their movements. It is also an economical munition armor as a alternative to the traditional lace scale construction. Going to battle was costly and this gave the clan army full protection from all levels of warfare.
The armors head gear covering has two flaps with a back slit. The head gear is completely made of russet iron plates tha...

Kabuto maedate, or ornament that sits in the front of the Japanese helmet. Aizen Myoo, flames coming out of his mouth. On top of his head a lion. Polychrome lacquered resin-like material, mounted on a metal base plate. Japan, 20th century.
Height ca. 5 ½ inches, width ca. 6 ½ inches.
Fine condition

Kabuto maedate, or ornament that sits in the front of the Japanese helmet. Long-horned monster face with big teeth and fangs and pointy ears. Wood with reddish color. Japan, 20th century.
Height 9 inches, width 8 ½ inches.
Fine condition

This 18th century Samurai stirrup has intricate overall floral pattern with inlaid silver wire which is somewhat obscured by tarnish. The raised footpad is red Lacquer and has wear mark in the toe area. There is a small break (and hole) in near the rim of the foot pad, which are commsurate with age and use of a Japanese warriors stirrup.

Kabuto maedate, or ornament that sits in the front of the Japanese helmet. Dragonfly. Gilded iron. Japan, 20th century.
L ca. 6 ¾ inches.
Good condition, one leg damaged.

Kabuto maedate, or ornament that sits in the front of the Japanese helmet. Long-horned monster face with fangs and pointy ears and tufts of hair. Polychromed and gilded wood with horse hair and metal wire. Japan, 19th/ 20th century.
H 6 5/8 inches, W 6 5/8 inches.
Good condition, ear restored, a few abrasions

A Late 18th Century Japanese suit of armor. This suit is an example of blue laced HON KOZANE NIMAI-DO GUSOKU. Seated height of 79" to tip of feather, 18" wide at the chest an 13" deep. Comes with storage box which is also used as seat.

An Edo period coat (haubergeon) and “kote” (mitons) of linked chain over layers of indigo dyed blue cloth decorated with family crests in gold. The chain, Kikko collar, outer layers of cloth and leather piping are all in overall excellent condition, the original pale blue lining is much worn away. This is made for an adult.
In Japan, mail is called kusari which means chain. When the word kusari is used in conjunction with an armored item it usually means that mail makes up the majori...

A High Ranking Military Commander with the Yokohagi Okegawa Dou from the Edo Period (early 19th century). The Kabuto is finished with 64 gilt copper sleeves interlocking onto the iron Ken creating a linear effect on the bowl. The Mempo is in the Nara style with fierce gilt teeth, lacquered upper lip and horse hair mustache detail. The overall mask detail is lacquered in black. The Kiritsuke Sode (shoulder guard) is laced in navy blue and grey silk in the form of a cross.

The Kote i...

Probably Echizen province, late 16th or 17th century. Bizen province artisans also took up Yoshiro zogan inlay work in the Kinai (ancient provinces and surrounds) manner. Brass (valuable in the period) and silver inlay flush with the iron surface was thought to have been introduced by an artisan named Yoshiro, for whom it is named. Slightly earlier, Heianjo school work tends to rest atop the surface into which it is inlaid. Late Muromachi or early Edo period. Length, about 12 inches. More pictur...

An original 18th century Japanese Namban armor with momonari type kabuto. The wisteria meadate and other occurrences of variations of the Fuji mon belongs to the Fujiwara Clans. The meadate matches that of the family crest seen on the armor. The black lacquered dou is textured with crushed oyster shell in fine detail. The armor is presented with the original hitsu (armor box) with gold beautiful gold calligraphy on the sides. Translated: (R) Doshu (feudal name) Tosa Kochi-ken, Sagawa Rive...

Rare Japanese gusoku bitsu (carrying box for samurai armor). Made of kiri (paulownia) wood and lacquered red and black. Unusual curved form. Leather shoulder straps for carrying. Iron hardware. Top lifts off. Decorated with the mon (crest) of the Oyamada Samurai clan. Edo Period (circa 1800's) Size: 28" high x 15" wide x 16 1/2" deep.

Tombo Eboshi-Nari Okegawa Do Gushoku, a rare and wonderful Japanese antique suit of armor: Eboshi helmet (represents one who has attained manhood distinguished by an Original dragonfly (tombo meadate) carved of wood and lacquered gold. It is original to the suit of armor and it represents perseverance and transformation. The half mask or monkey form (saru bo) covers only the jaw portion of the face. The armor of an archer would have such a mask as he would have operated further back in the bat...

Japanese armor Yoroi and Kabuto helmet in classic style, wearable, adult size from early to mid Showa period (1926~1989). The armor is lined with hemp in most area. Dimensions: 67" tall. Box: 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" x 24"H