Cuirass (Armor for the Torso and Hips) and Greaves (Lower Leg Defenses)

Japanese

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 377

The lavish decoration of this cuirass focuses on the theme of archery. The silver character yumi in the center of the breastplate is Japanese for "bow" (弓). Below, there is a golden arrow entwined by dragons. A large shachihoko, a mythological animal that could control rain and therefore create favorable conditions for the use of bow and arrow, is depicted in silver and gold on the backplate.

Cuirass (Armor for the Torso and Hips) and Greaves (Lower Leg Defenses), Iron, silver, gold, copper alloy, leather, wood, textile, Japanese

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Cuirass (Armor for the Torso and Hips) and Greaves (Lower Leg Defenses), Iron, silver, gold, copper alloy, leather, wood, textile, Japanese
Cuirass (Armor for the Torso and Hips) and Greaves (Lower Leg Defenses), Iron, silver, gold, copper alloy, leather, wood, textile, Japanese
Cuirass (Armor for the Torso and Hips) and Greaves (Lower Leg Defenses), Iron, silver, gold, copper alloy, leather, wood, textile, Japanese
Cuirass (Armor for the Torso and Hips) and Greaves (Lower Leg Defenses), Iron, silver, gold, copper alloy, leather, wood, textile, Japanese
Cuirass (Armor for the Torso and Hips) and Greaves (Lower Leg Defenses), Iron, silver, gold, copper alloy, leather, wood, textile, Japanese

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