Suit of armour
Category
Arms and armour
Date
Unknown
Materials
Brocade, Hair, Lacquer, Silk
Place of origin
Japan
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1328755
Summary
Samurai armour. A suit of Tosei-Gusoko armour consisting of a Helmet (Kabuto) in the Kashozan style with a neckguard (Shikoro) braided in Kebiki signed Katsuiye Saku. A mask (Mempo) with attached throatguard (Nodowa). Two shoulder guards (Stode) of seven lames. A pair of guilded sleeves (Kote). A curiass (Do) braided in Kebiki with eight detachable tassets (Kuazuri) in two parts. Thigh armour (Haidate) in the form of a split apron with chain on the lower part. Shin guards (Suneate).
Full description
Charles Page wade notebook entry number 378 (1340945.3 / SNO.MISC.959.3): 'Suit of Armour. Iron Helmet of 60 plates. Horns & a Bat mask. Blazon on Wings in gold. Neck guard, gorget, shoulder pieces. Body (sketch of blazon alongside) & tassets etc. of ‘comb’ lacquer gold and braided with purple puce. sleeves, apron & legs of gold & white brocade with chain & gold plates. A long spear with short head. MURASAKI-ODOSI = purple lacing. fr.Towester.'
Provenance
1 of 4 suits purchased by Charles Wade from Percy C. Ashby, Towcester, Northamptonshire on 17th February 1940. Paid £10 10s for all 4 suits. Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade