Suit of armour
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1700 - 1800
Materials
Leather, Metal, Silk, Textile
Place of origin
Japan
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1328759
Summary
Samurai armour. A suit of Tosei-Gusoko armour consisting of a Helmet (Kabuto) with rivits in the Koshozan style with a five plate neckguard (Shikoro) laced in Sugake. A mask (Mempo) with attached throatguard (Nodowa). Two shoulder guards (Stode) laced in Kebiki, a pair of sleeves (Kote). A curiass (Do) in the Nuinobe-Do style with a mon on the Muna-Ita and six attached tassets (Kusazuri laced in Kebiki. Thigh armour (Haidate) of square plates joined with mail and a pair of shin guards (Suneate).
Full description
Charles Paget Wade notebook entry no. 382 (1340945.2 / SNO.MISC.959.3): 'Suit of Armour. Iron Helmet of 64 plates closely set with rivets diminishing in size to the crown. Blazon (sketch of detail here)on wings. Neck guard of lacquer plates. Braided blue Body piece of horizontal plates covered with leather with shaped edges. & coloured dark brown, the top plate bears the Blazon of Prince HABESHIMA of HIZEN (sketch of blazon here) (as No.9 in gallery.) Small shoulder guards. Apron has plates of flat pyramid form. The Tassets are of gold lacquer laced with pale blue braid. Small sword with lacquer sheath. fr. Cheltenham.'
Provenance
Purchased by Charles Paget Wade in Cheltenham. Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.