LOT #47001 |
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Seventeenth-Century Samurai Tosei Gusoku Suit of Armor. ...
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Sold on Dec 15, 2023 for:
$40,000.00
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Description
Rare Seventeenth-Century Armor from Japan's "Great Edo" Period
Seventeenth-Century Samurai Tosei Gusoku
Suit of Armor. Measuring approximately 41", and 60" overall
on a decorative wooden base. Edo period (seventeenth-century).This ornate suit includes a helmet (eboshi kabuto) lacquered silver with the forecrest (maedate) an iron disc carved with a family crest of stylized wisteria, a gold-lacquered five-lame close-fitting neck guard laced with dark blue spaced-lacing, the simple iron half face mask (hambo) lacquered silver with a gold-lacquered three-lame iron throat guard (yodarekake). The entire suit is lacquered silver with the cuirass (do) and iyozane scales in dark blue spaced-lacing, fitted with a bracket at the back for a flag and seven sections of tassets (kusazari). The shoulder guards (chu-sode) are laced with dark blue spaced-lacing and feature black-lacquered chain mail sleeves with small silvered-iron plates sewn on the backing fabric and gauntlets with applied-bronze family crests of a mandarin orange. The matching chain mail thigh guards (haidate) and shin guards (shino-suneate) are lacquered gold.
Dating to the Japanese Edo period from 1603 to 1868, the suit of armor reflects the craftmanship of at least four to six different artisans. Also known as the Tokugawa period, the Edo period witnessed the consolidation of Japan under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, uniting over 300 regional governors. The period is characterized by general stability, economic growth, and a strict social order. Samurais occupied the highest-ranking caste. Although samurais had served as the premier warrior class of Japan since at least the twelfth century, the relative peace of the Edo period resulted in their transition into respected bureaucrats.
Although samurai armor had historically been crafted from individual scales, by the sixteenth century, artisans largely relied on the tosei gosuko form that relied on iron plates to account for the use of fire arms. With the establishment of peace during the Edo period, the armor became lighter and more nimble to adjust for personal protection in the streets rather than at war. Civil strife and peasant revolts necessitated the need for discreet chain-armor pieces that could be worn under regular clothing.
Condition: Minor expected damage to edges of lacquer on helmet and dou does not detract from the overall fine appearance of this armor. Fine marks overall from handling and storage.
Auction Info
2023 December 15 Historical Platinum Session Signature® Auction #6280 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2023
15th
Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 16
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,679
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