A nimai-do gusoku [armour] | The helmet signed Yamashiro kuni Fujiwara Kanehisa | Edo period, 17th century

A nimai-do gusoku [armour]

The helmet signed Yamashiro kuni Fujiwara Kanehisa (Fujiwara Kanehisa of Yamashiro Province)

Edo period, 17^th century

Kabuto [helmet]:

The twelve-plate russet iron bowl of zunari [head-shaped] form with zaboshi [seated rivets], terminating in a five-stage russet iron tehen kanamono of typical chrysanthemum form, russet iron mabisashi [peak] with shakudo nawame fukurin [ornamental border with impressed rope pattern], the leather fukigaeshi [turnbacks] applied with two-tiers of black lacquer kiritsuke-kozane [false lamallae] with close-spaced lacing in yellow braid, applied with shakudo tomoe mon [comma-shaped crests] and nawame fukurin, the five-tiered black lacquer shikoro [neck guard] laced with matching braid, the gold and red lacquer maedate [fore crest] in the form of a leaping hare before kuwagata [stylised antlers]

Mempo [face mask]:

The russet iron face mask formed in ryubu-style with noble expression and unwrinkled face, detachable nose plate, red lacquer interior, three-tiered yodaregake [throat protector] with close-spaced lacing in yellow braid

Do [cuirass]:

The russet iron cuirass hinged in two pieces, seven tassets of five-tiered kusazuri [skirt], all components laced in matching braid

Sode, kote [shoulder guards and sleeves]:

The shoulder guards with riveted horizontal russet iron plates and two tiers of black lacquer kiritsuke-kozane [false lamallae] laced with matching braid, chainmail sleeves, blue silk lining

Haidate, sune-ate [thigh protectors and shin guards]:

Black lacquer kawara-zane ['roof tile' plated] thigh protectors, leather and silk lining, russet iron shin guards

Accessories:

With two fitted armour storage boxes and leather covers

Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo [First Grade Especially Important Material], issued by the Nihon Katchu Bugu Kenkyu Hozon Kai [Society for the Preservation of Japanese Armour].