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Armor (Nimaidō Gusoku)

Armorer Armor inscribed Myōchin Muneakira Japanese
Armorer Helmet inscribed Saotome Ietada Japanese
Restorer/Conservator Helmet crest and restorations by Hiromichi Miura Japanese
armor, dated 1717; helmet, late 16th century; restorations, 2015
Not on view
Armor embossed in high relief came into vogue in the eighteenth century, a period of peace and stability under Tokugawa rule. With less concern about battlefield functionality, armorers explored new decorative possibilities, including embossing, a technique that would have compromised the armor’s defensive qualities, since it created catch points for an opponent’s weapons. The Myōchin, among the most well-known armor-making families of the period, specialized in this difficult but spectacular technique.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Armor (Nimaidō Gusoku)
  • Armorer: Armor inscribed Myōchin Muneakira (Japanese, Edo period, 1673–1745)
  • Armorer: Helmet inscribed Saotome Ietada (Japanese, active late 16th century)
  • Restorer/Conservator: Helmet crest and restorations by Hiromichi Miura (Japanese, b. 1938)
  • Date: armor, dated 1717; helmet, late 16th century; restorations, 2015
  • Culture: Japanese
  • Medium: Iron, copper, copper-gold alloy (shakudō), gold, silver, horn, leather, silk
  • Dimensions: as mounted, H. 58 in. (147.3 cm); W. 28 1/2 in. (72.4 cm); D. 22 1/4 in. (56.5 cm); Wt. excluding helmet 27 lb. 15.7 oz. (12.7 kg)
  • Classification: Armor for Man
  • Credit Line: Gift of Etsuko O. Morris and John H. Morris Jr., 2018
  • Object Number: 2018.833.3a–p
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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