Suit of armour
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1750 - 1800
Materials
Brocade, Copper, Gilt, Hair, Iron, Lacquer, Leather, Silk
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1328747
Summary
Samurai armour. A suit of Scale Armour (Do-Maru). This suit of armour is dated from 1750-1800 and consists the following pieces. A helment (Kabuto) with a low rounded bowl and leather peak with attached neckguard of three lames laced in Keriki. The mask (Mempo) is of the Hempo type, lacquered black with full white moustache, it has an attached throatguard of 3 lames with Suso-Kanamono on the lower plate. The Shoulder guards (Stode) are made up of seven lames and are laced in Kebiki. The Sleeves (Kote) are of Tsutu-Gote style with large hinged plated on the forearms with mail and small plates above. There are Gold lacquered with dragons in relief. The curaiss (Do) is of large lames laced in Kebiki, bound at the edges with gilt rims (Fukurin). the back plate is fitted with a large bow (Agemaki bow) brackets and tube to support little banner (Sashimono). there are eight tassets (Kusazuri) permanently laced to the Do. The thigh armour (Haidate) is in the form of a divided apron with five rows of small flat Kawara of leather on each thigh. The shin guards (Suneate) have brigandine knee guards with plates fastened with lacing and leather stirup guards which are gold lacquered. There are also a pair of boots (Kutsu).
Full description
Charles Paget Wade Notebook entry 370 (1340945.3 / SNO.MISC.959.3): 'Suit of Armour. Iron Helmet of 40 plates with diminishing rivets. Large neck guard & wings. Blazon. Mask. (sketch of detail here) Body of ‘Comb’ lacquer of gold braided ASAGI-ODOSI KON-ITO-ODOSI with light & dark blue alternate rows. Sleeves of Brocade. Gold & tawny. Under mail & ornamental gold plates. The vambrace of three gold plates with a dragon in low relief. Brocade apron with rows of small lacquer plaques of gold & black alternate rows. Coral braid leg guards of gold plates. The set has gold metal ornaments & finishings of the ‘Prunus’. At the back is socket, sheath & bracket to carry Banner.'
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.