Armor (Gusoku)

18th–19th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 378

This armor was intended for a high-ranking officer in the service of the Mōri family, daimyo (lords) of Chōshū, whose badge is incorporated into the armor’s gilt metal fittings.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Armor (Gusoku)
Date: 18th–19th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Iron, lacquer, silk, copper, gold
Classification: Armor for Man
Credit Line: Gift of Dr. George M. Lefferts, 1910
Object Number: 10.187.10a–q
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Armor (Gusoku) for a Mounted Samurai with Accessories

Japanese

18th–19th century

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Bamen Tomotsugu Japanese, Iron, lacquer, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), silver, silk, horse hair, ivory, Japanese, Toyohara, Echizen province — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Armorer Helmet signed by Bamen Tomotsugu
18th century

Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi), Yokoyama Kōzukedaijō Sukesada Japanese, Steel, wood, lacquer, ray skin (samé), thread, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), copper, gold, copper-silver alloy (shibuichi), iron, Japanese — Blade and Mounting for a Short Sword (Wakizashi)
Swordsmith Blade inscribed by Yokoyama Kōzukedaijō Sukesada
Fittings maker Fittings inscribed by 乙柳軒政信 Otsuryūken Masanobu
blade, late 17th century; mounting, 19th century

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.