Yukinoshita-do tosei gusoku
Mid Edo period (1615-1867), 18th Century
Exhibitions:
"Samurai - Passato e presente", Novara 2012
Literature:
G.Piva - S. Verrina, Samurai - Passato e presente, cat. A3, Novara 2012
Kabuto signed Myochin Ujiie saku and dated August 1527
The kabuto is based on an older bachi. It is, in fact, an helmet signed by Myochin Ujiie, documented in the official Myochin genealogies as second son and pupil of the famous smith Nobuie. Among the typical features of this armorer we can find a quite large visor (mabizashi) and a peaked shape of the helmet.
The do is in the style of the Sendai province, created during 16th Century by an armorer called Yukinoshita: the cuirass is made of five large and heavy iron plates hinged without the use of the traditional silk lacing, to be more effective against the matchlock’s bullets. This armor, built in a later period and then with more attention to aesthetic details, has a front plate divided in two, with the upper part (munaita) laced to the larger one in kebiki odoshi. The surface is decorated in black lacquer with a coiled dragon, while on the whole armor there are high level kanamono (metal decorations) in shakudo and gold. The moustaches of the mask of ressei type are painted in lacquer as well.
Other interesting features are the large sode on the shoulders and the protection for arm and shin (koteand suneate) of tsutsu type, with large wrapping plates.
SKU: gus-588-RSo
