Lot of 2 Japanese Edo Cloth & Chainmail Thigh Guards

**First Time At Auction**

East Asia, Japan, later Edo Period, ca. early to mid-19th century CE. A large pair of cloth thigh guards known as wakiate (also waki-ate) that were worn beneath the upper thigh pads of a samurai cuirass. Each guard has a sturdy form that is reinforced along the front with thousands of petite iron links that form a chainmail mesh. While the chainmail mesh adds weight to the armor, the cloth backing compensates by being both lightweight and flexible. Elite samurai wore armor made entirely of steel, so these pads were perhaps meant for a samurai of a lower rank. Size of each (both are relatively similar): 9" W x 7.9" H (22.9 cm x 20.1 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in May 2007; ex-private Onomichi, Hiroshima, Japan collection

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#152058
Condition Report: One pad missing some chain links and larger cord as shown. Both items have minor encrustations to some chain links, with light creasing, and minor staining to some blue-colored areas. Nice patina to chain links.