An armor with a russet-lacquer cuirass

Edo period (1615-1868), 18th/19th century

Edo period (1615-1868), 18th/19th century
Comprising a russet-iron 62-plate suji kabuto fitted with a five-lame shikoro laced in dark blue, the bowl adorned with a gilt-brass maedate formed as s crescent moon; the russet-iron Reisei menpo applied with a boar-bristle mustache and fitted with a five-lame solid-plate yodarekake lacquered black; the iron nimai yokohagi do lacquered russet brown and decorated with a crescent moon in clouds in gold lacquer, the do fitted with seven sections of five-lame iron kusazuri lacquered lack and laced in green and orange sugake lacing, the interior of the do inscribed with the details of re-lacquering, and dated Bunkyu yonen kinoe-ne haru (Spring, 1864); the oda-gote (gourd-plate sleeves) and chain mail haidate lacquered russet brown; with an armor stand and one armor storage box

This cuirass appears to have been at least partially re-lacquered in the last decades of the Edo period. The basic construction of the armor points to an earlier date of manufacture. This may be an heirloom piece that was updated for a later owner.