Tachi-Dō Gusoku

Age: Mid-Edo period. 17th century. 江戸時代 chuki 中期 Japan: Iron, lacquer, silk, wood, gold

Provenance: Private collection in Japan

Exhibition: Mononofu Katchu Mayfair London. 14th-15th May 2022

Description:

Hon kozane maru tachi-dō [wrap around cuirass made from individual scales] in black

lacquer with blue lacing in the kebiki [complex] style. Etchu zunari kabuto [head

shaped] with russet iron hachi [bowl] with yasurime [incised decorative grooves] five

lame hineno kiritsuke ko zane shikoro [neck guard in mock hon kozane] laced in the

kebiki style. Shu urushi nuri ressei men-no-shita menpo [red lacquered face mask] with

four lame kiritsuke kon zane suga [throat guard].

Ko-gusoku [other parts] medium size kiritsuke ko zane chu-sode [shoulder guards] of

six lames laced in the kebiki style. The kote [sleeves] are of the oda style featuring iron

fittings and chain mail, the haidate [apron] is constructed of kiritsuke ko zane

numbering five lames laced in the kebiki odoshi style. Five lame shino-suneate [shin

guards] with kikko-gane [hexagonal knee guard].

Supplied with a yoroi-tate [armour display stand] and yoroi-bitsu with [armour travel

storage box] with outer black lacquered leather cover with gold mon [crests].

Inoue Shi:

The Inoue clan (井上氏, Inoue-shi) was a samurai clan which came to prominence from

the late Kamakura through Edo periods in Japanese history, descending from the Seiwa

Genji. Mention of an Inoue surname is found in Nara period records; however, the

Inoue clan which later became prominent in the Edo period traces its antecedents to

the Seiwa Genji line founded by Minamoto no Yorisue, grandson of Minamoto no

Mitsunaka in the late Heian period. Minamoto no Yorisue settled in Inoue in Takai

District, Shinano Province, and this was the main branch, but there were other

branches in Harima, Aki and Mikawa Provinces. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, the Inoue, as hereditary vassals of the Tokugawa clan, was classified as one of the fudai daimyō clans. Following the Meiji Restoration, the clan was appointed Viscount.

Authenticity:

Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Hozon 特別保存 (Special cultural material) No.12042142 issued by the Kokusai Nihon Katchū Bugu Shinkō Kyōkai 国際日本甲冑武具振興協会 (International Society for the Promotion of Japanese Armor)

Published:

Tachi-dō Gusoku Edition DB005

Inventory Number: GU004