Antiques M.S. Rau | Edo Period Samurai Suit

This Complete Nerikawa Kaga Gusoku Samurai Suit Of Armor Dating To The 18Th Century Represents A Stunning Fusion Of Functional Design And Intricate Artistry. Crafted Exclusively For The Esteemed Samurai Warriors, The Very Finest Armors Employed Exceptional Materials Including Silks, Iron, Steel, Copper And Wool. This Suit Features A Helmet Bearing The Crest Of The Aoki Clan, Along With A Neckplate Comprised Of Black Lacquered And Leather-Wrapped Iron Plates. A Half Mask, Lacquered Red On The Interior, Creates An Intimidating Appearance, And The Gilded Breastplate And Backplate Bear Clan Heraldry Alongside Wisteria And Phoenix Motifs. Finished With Silk-Lined Thigh, Shin And Knee Guards In The Kaga Style, Along With Lacquered Iron Shoulders And Skirt, Each Component Is Connected With A Blue Silk Cord For Optimal Mobility. The Level Of Skill And Resources Required To Produce A Set Of This Caliber Is Remarkable.

Before The Edo Period, Japan Had Been Having Internal Wars For Over 1000 Years. Once The Tokugawa Shogunate Unified The Country And Moved The Capital To Edo (Present-Day Tokyo), Internal Warfare Greatly Decreased. Even In The Relatively Peaceful Edo Period, However, Superior Armors Were Crafted As Many Believed War Would Come Again. This Amazing Suit Of Armor Was Crafted For An Official Of The Aoki Clan By The Eminent Artisans Of The Kaga Domain. The Kaga Craftsmen Were Unparalleled In Their Armor-Making Expertise. Characteristic Features Such As Gilded Leather Known As Nerikawa, And Intricate Iron And Copper Embossed Phoenix And Wisteria Embellishments Serve As Hallmarks Of The Exceptional Craftsmanship For Which The Kaga Were So Renowned.

The Sixteen-Plate Iron Helmet Bears The Signature Of Kashu Ju Munetaka Saku, One Of The Top-Tier Prestigious Armorers Of The Era. It Is Embellished With Intricate File Marks And Gilded Leather, Likely Imported From Holland. Given That The Edo Period Was Characterized By Japan’S Self-Imposed Isolation, European Materials Were A Rare Luxury, Accessible Only To The Most Affluent Individuals Through Trade With China.

The Armor Also Comes With Its Original Packing And Carrying Box And A Certificate From The Japan Arms &Amp; Armour Research &Amp; Preservation Society Confirming Its Authenticity And Completeness.

18Th Century

54″ High X 27″ Wide X 19″ Deep