Complete and en suite armor of the uroko (scaled) type from - Lot 249

Lot n° 249
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Estimation :
8000 - 10000 EUR
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Result : 27 000EUR
Complete and en suite armor of the uroko (scaled) type from - Lot 249
Complete and en suite armor of the uroko (scaled) type from the 17th century Spectacular KAWARI KABUTO (eccentric helmet) of the EBOSHI KABUTO (nobleman's headdress) type from the late Momoyama period (between 1580 and 1620). Black lacquered with light blue braid laced in kebiki odoshi (tight lacing). Braid in very good condition and lacquer in good condition. The helmet has wakidate (side supports) and a Maedate (front support). The Maedate represents a trident in gold lacquered leather which is an allusion to the deity BISHAMON TEN (guardian of the North) and two stylized pigeons under the trident, representing the Kanji Hachi (number 8) which is an allusion to the tutelary deity of the Minamoto clan " Hachiman Dai Bosatsu ". The allusion to Bishamon Ten and the kanji Hachi show that the wearer of the helmet, obviously a general or a Daimyo (feudal lord) places himself under the simultaneous protection of Hachiman (of whom he is probably a Minamoto descendant) and of Bishamon Ten. LEATHERCOAT (DO) of the early 17th century and of Uroko type, i.e. with black lacquered steel scales. The different parts of the cuirass are lined with twisted brass Fukurin (sign of quality of the armor). The lacquer on the front of the chest and behind the shoulder blades is a matt black Ishime (stone texture, rough). Instead of the Odoshi (cords) that connect the DO (breastplate) to the KUSAZURI (tassels), there are places of cloth covered with chain mail. These elements seem to indicate that the cuirass was made in the province of KAGA, a great center of production and export of armor under the control of the powerful lordly family of MAEDA. Several Kanagu are present on the cuirass. KUSAZURI and SODE are also scaled with Kanagu (brass parts). The Odoshi (trimmings, fabrics and cords) were redone in the 20th century (early Showa period, around 1930?), or even earlier. They are in perfect condition. Heavy and warlike cuirass. The thickness of the steel of the scales is noticeable (contrary to the 18th to 1940's scale armors, made of thinner steel, or boiled leather), which pleads well for an armor designed for warfare is therefore from the early 17th century. Note that this type of scale armor is particularly rare (which probably justifies the restoration of fabrics for an armor of this quality). NARA type MASK (MENÔ), second half of the 17th century, black brown lacquered, with removable nose. Presence of a moustache and light blue lacing in the kebiki odoshi style, in continuation with the Kabuto. Good general condition. Note the presence of brass teeth. SANGU (Kote, Haidate and Suneate) en suite : Armor sleeves (KOTE) of SHNO GOTE type (with steel strips joined by chain mail) and of good quality. Very good condition of the fabrics. Steel and decorations in relief on the tekko (hand protection). EDO period (17th - 18th). Leggings (SUNEATE) of the SHINO GOTE type, in suite with the sleeves and with KIKKO (steel tortoise shell) for the knees. Good condition. Apron (HAIDATE) with KARUTA (from Portuguese CARTA "playing cards") steel plates connected with chain mail. Good general condition. All pieces of the armor are in suite. The armor is complete with its chest. The design of this armor with scales (rare in Japan) with a KAWARI KABUTO of EBOSHI type, indicates its belonging to an important personage (general or feudal lord) and follower of Japanese esoteric Buddhism Mikkyo. This point is confirmed by the presence of the kanji ZEN in gold lacquer on the front of the armor box, reference to the deity ZOCHO TEN (guardian of the South who faces the demons). We are thus in the presence of the guardian of the North, BISHAMON TEN and the guardian of the South, ZOCHO TEN, corresponding to the Alpha and the Omega of the practice of KUJI NO IN (9 protective deities of which the Shi Tenno or 4 deities of the 4 cardinal points). AS Reference: Among the armors with scales, we can quote a leather armor with scales, of time beginning 17th (old collection ARMAN, France) and two armors in Japan, of time also beginning 17th and of which one, in the museum of Okayama, having belonged to the strategist Takenaka Hambei).
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