Suit of armour
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1750 - 1800
Materials
Copper, Gilt, Hair, Iron, Lacquer, Leather, Silk, Textile
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1328748
Caption
This 18th-century suit of armour is part of a remarkable collection of 27 suits of Japanese Samurai armour dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. The mask, complete with a bristled moustache and sharp teeth, coupled with the gilt horns of the helmet, give the impression of a fierce and frightening warrior. Facial armour such as this functioned to protect the face while securing the top-heavy helmet with cords.
Summary
Samurai armour. A suit of Scale Armour (Maru) consisting of a Helmet (Kabuto) with attached neck guard (Shiroro), a mask (Mempo) with attached throatguard (Nodowa) laced in Kebiki. Two shoulder guards (Stode). A pair of sleeves (Kote) in the Shino-Gote style wth narrow splints in the forearms and with embossed plates. A curiass (Do) laced in Kebiki in dark blue with attached Kusazuri tied to the waist. The thigh armour (Haidate) and shin guards (Suneate) are laced in dark blue
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.