Lot 62 SHÔWA SUIT OF ARMOUR (YOROI) WITH ASANO CREST

A complete Japanese black lacquer suit of armour (yoroi) laced with orange and green silk cords, accented by a multicoloured trim and crimson hem, and fitted with a two-piece cuirass (kuro’urushinuri iroiro’ito hi’suso nimai’dô tôsei gusoku). It proudly bears a crest depicting two crossed feathers with a swirling motif enclosed in a circle, known as Asano taka no ha 浅野鷹の羽. This specific crest belonged to the Asano clan 淺野氏 of the Aki Hiroshima domain.

The Asano were a prominent samurai clan descended from the Minamoto lineage and the 56th Emperor of Japan, Emperor Seiwa (850–881).

– 8-plate suji’bachi kabuto (helmet with raised ridges) topped with a brass repoussé circular maedate bearing the family crest, flanked by short kuwagata antlers. The apex is fitted with a 7-tiered gilt metal tehen’no’kanamono in chrysanthemum form. A 3-tiered itazane-plate shikoro (neck guard) hangs below. The long, backward-bending fukikaeshi (face guards) are covered in decorative smoked leather and embellished with gilt crest appliqués. A red age’maki (tassel) decorates the rear.
– ‘Menpô (resseibô-type face mask) featuring a detachable nose, white moustache, and gold lacquered teeth. Completed with a 4-tiered itazane-plate yodarekake (throat guard).
– Sode (shoulder guards) of the ô-type, constructed with six rows of tiered itazane plates, decorated with gilt hardware bearing chrysanthemum motifs. Finished with crimson cords and decorative tassels.
– Kote (armoured sleeves), shino-type, comprising black lacquered plates and chainmail (kaushi-gusari), placed over golden floral-patterned silk.
– Dô (cuirass) in yokohagi okegawa style with gold lacquered Asano feather crests on both front and back. Hanging from the cuirass are six sections of five-lame itazane-plate kusazuri (tassets).
– Uwa’obi (outer sash) made from pink silk with a black floral design.
– Haidate (thigh guards) with four rows of twelve laced kawara-plates, bordered with orange brocade and brown decorative leather.
– Suneate (shin guards), shino-type, with lacquered vertical plates over mail, on brown-white silk. Finished with blue-purple tateage (knee protectors).

The suit is complete with a square black lacquered yoroi’bako (armour storage box), fitted with side-mounted pole-carrying handles. The top and front are decorated with the matching Asano crest.

Period: Japan – Mid-Shôwa period (mid-20th century)
Height with box: approx. 160 cm
With wooden stand.

The armour is in very good condition with expected minor traces of wear from age and display. The uwa’obi has been restored and exhibits some wear. Please refer to the photos for a detailed condition reference.