A RED LACQUER JAPANESE SUIT-OF-ARMOUR BY SATSUMA KUNIZUMI, 11TH GENERATION MITSUNOBU, MID 20TH CENTURY A RED LACQUER JAPANESE SUIT-OF-ARMOUR BY SATSUMA KUNIZUMI, 11TH GENERATION MITSUNOBU, MID 20TH CENTURY A RED LACQUER JAPANESE SUIT-OF-ARMOUR BY SATSUMA KUNIZUMI, 11TH GENERATION MITSUNOBU, MID 20TH CENTURY A RED LACQUER JAPANESE SUIT-OF-ARMOUR BY SATSUMA KUNIZUMI, 11TH GENERATION MITSUNOBU, MID 20TH CENTURY A RED LACQUER JAPANESE SUIT-OF-ARMOUR BY SATSUMA KUNIZUMI, 11TH GENERATION MITSUNOBU, MID 20TH CENTURY A RED LACQUER JAPANESE SUIT-OF-ARMOUR BY SATSUMA KUNIZUMI, 11TH GENERATION MITSUNOBU, MID 20TH CENTURY A RED LACQUER JAPANESE SUIT-OF-ARMOUR BY SATSUMA KUNIZUMI, 11TH GENERATION MITSUNOBU, MID 20TH CENTURY

A RED LACQUER JAPANESE SUIT-OF-ARMOUR BY SATSUMA KUNIZUMI, 11TH GENERATION MITSUNOBU, MID 20TH CENTURY

Reference: ART2001824

A great, complete and all-matching Japanese red lacquer suit-of-armour (yoroi) by Satsuma Kunizumi, 11th generation Mitsunobu’ 薩摩國住十一代光忍作with red cords, a multicoloured and red hem and a 2-piece cuirass (kurenai’urushinuri kurenai’ito kurenai’suso nimaidô tôsei gusoku) featuring a crest (mon) depicting four tilted open squares in a circle目結 (meyui).
Meyui literally translates as ‘eye tie’, in reference to a expensive traditional Japanese tie dyeing process to produce a dappled effect.

– 8-plate suji’bachi kabuto (helmet with raised ridges) with long brass kuwagata-antlers flanking a circular maedate adorned with the meyui-crest. 5-Tiered chrysanthemum-shaped tehen’no’kanamono (decorative apex fitting), golden silk decorative tassel (agemaki), 3-tiered ‘itazane’-plate shikoro (neck guards) and large back-bending fukikaeshi (face guards) covered with decorative ‘smoked leather’ and fitted with circular appliques featuring the same crest.
– ‘Angry man’-facial mask (resseibô-type menpô), separate nose-piece with white moustache, and 4-tiered ‘itazane’-plate gorget (yodarekake).
– Sode (shoulder guards), ô-type, constructed with 7 ‘itazane’-plates, adorned with golden silk cords with decorative tassels.
– Kote (bracer), shino-type, long lacquered metal pieces connected by Japanese mail (kaushi-gusari), placed over light brocade silk with a scrolling cloud design. The hand guards (tekko) decorated with a design of different flower emblems in relief.
– Dô (cuirass) of the ‘yokohagi okegawa’-type with a large gold lacquered meyui-crest in front. The front also with a pair of small silk agemaki, and hanging from the cuirass are 6-parts of 5-piece ‘itazane’-plate kusazuri (tassets).
– Shiny golden red silk waistband (uwa’obi).
– Haidate (thigh armour), ‘kawara’-type, of 4-rows of 12 black lacquered rectangular plates, with alternating star relief design with matching brocade silk and decorative ‘smoked leather’ borders.
– Suneate (shin guards), tsutsu-type, tube-shaped with large vertical metal plates laced over matching silk, and with red tateage (knee guards).

The back of the kabuto and the side of one grieve and the store-box with a signature: ‘Made by Satsuma Kunizumi, 11th generation Mitsunobu’ 薩摩國住十一代光忍作 (Satsuma (no) Kuni Jû Kônin saku) ending with a kakihan.

Complete with a square black lacquered store-box for a suit-of armour (yoroi’bako) with red lacquered rims and ‘pole carrying’-handles. The front of the store-box decorated with the same crest in gold lacquer.

Including inscribed wooden tablet: “Two-piece red armour with red threads” 赤糸成赤鎧二枚胴具足.

Approx. height with box: 160 cm.

Period: Japan – Mid-Shôwa period (Mid 20th century).

It is in a very good original condition with some traces of wear conform age. For a clear condition reference, please have a look at the photos.