Second half of Edo Period (1615-1867)
Ni-mai do tosei gusoku
18th-19th Century
Height: 100 cm
During the 17th Century samurai families used to display a set of helmet and armor, weapons and banners outdoors on the Tango-no-Sekku Festival (The Boy’s Festival), held on the fifth day of the fifth month, designated as an important ceremonial day by the Edo Shogunate Government. Later in the Edo period these items, except for the banners, were moved indoor, on rooms facing the street. The style of displaying varied in accordance and the armors gradually became miniaturized, thus keeping splendid decorations on, as such armors and helmets were also to display the prosperity of their household.
The construction of this rare item is exactly that of a regular tosei gusoku. No shortcutor simplifications have been used and the model is overall decorated intakamaki-e lacquer with wves, clouds, geometrical and floral patterns and the owner's kamon on the fukigaeshi.
The style of the armor suggests a date around late 18th Century or early 19th.
