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

probably late 18th–early 19th century

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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Cuirass (Armor for the Torso and Hips) and Greaves (Lower Leg Defenses)
Date: probably late 18th–early 19th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Iron, silver, gold, copper alloy, leather, wood, textile
Dimensions: H. of cuirass 14 3/16 in. (36 cm)
Classification: Armor for Man
Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of Thomas Mendenhall, by exchange, 2006
Object Number: 2006.268a–c
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

In the same gallery

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Armor (<i>Yoroi</i>) of Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358), Iron, lacquer, leather, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Yoroi*) of Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358)
Japanese
early 14th century

Helmet in the Shape of a Crouching Rabbit, Iron, lacquer, silver, gold, leather, silk, Japanese — Helmet in the Shape of a Crouching Rabbit
Japanese
17th century

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Saotome Ietada
Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

Helmet, Iron, copper, gold, Japanese — Helmet
Japanese
5th century

Helmet (<i>Hoshi- Kabuto</i>) in the 16th-Century Style, Saotome Ienari Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, Japanese — Helmet (*Hoshi- Kabuto*) in the 16th-Century Style
Saotome Ienari
probably late 17th–early 18th century

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 complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.