The expression of this armor, with its dragon and carp maedate transformation, sets the tone of its mythological meaning. The red armor has a Zunari Kabuto decorated with a Nichirin sun motif, which supports the dragon and carp conversion. The menpo is a Reisei-men with rabbit hair mustache, rendering a fierce warrior’s expression. The menpo is attached with four Kiritsuke yodare in blue and gold silk cords...

An original 18th century Japanese Namban armor with momonari type kabuto. The wisteria meadate and other occurrences of variations of the Fuji mon belongs to the Fujiwara Clans. The meadate matches that of the family crest seen on the armor. The black lacquered dou is textured with crushed oyster shell in fine detail. The armor is presented with the original hitsu (armor box) with gold beautiful gold calligraphy on the sides...

Samurai menpo mask with the ressei (fierce) expression, belonging to the me-no-shita "half-face" type, which stands out for its leather surface to simulate finely hammered iron. Remarkable are the generously sized imposing nose and chin, which add a distinctive element to the face of the mask. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 18th century Dimensions: 28 x 23 cm. State of conservation: Very good

A powerful Kon-odoshi Go-Mai-Do Gusoku embellished throughout with matching crests of bound wheat. The helmet is a tetsuji raw iron 32 plate kabuto with brass piping surrounding the Mabizashi and fukigaeshi. The Bound-wheat mon is figured on the fukigaeshi and it features a five lame wide banded Shikoro. The mask is an unusual Saru-Men (monkey faced hanpo) also of raw iron with matching wide banded throat defense...

This superb helmet bowl is comprised of 64 iron plates that are slightly embossed between the suji, double front plates, and a washer underneath the top front riveted inside. The bowl has been given a very dark russet finish and fitted with a simple iron visor. The meadate is a forged iron hornet with gilt brass wings. The shikkoro of five - lames of false scale laced in blue silk and brown russet lacquer...

Antique Japanese Edo period 1600-1868, Samurai war hat Nirayama Jingasa kabuto made of finely hand-woven bamboo fiber with a black lacquered exterior, adorned on each side with gold samurai nobility family crest - moon. The interior is lacquered with red urushi...

Japanese antique 15 ken (plates) jingasa hat for a ashigaru foot soldier. Made of iron with large rivets and edged with oxidized silver. Comes with a custom metal stand. The samurai class in feudal Japan, as well as their retainers and footsoldiers (ashigaru), used several types of jingasa made from iron, copper, wood, paper, bamboo, or leather.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 23" high (including stand) x 15 1/4" wide

Antique Japanese Samurai meadate (samurai helmet decoration) of a gilt dragon made of hand carved wood with lacquer, and metal. Details of whimsical flowing hair and long eye lashes. Mounted on a custom antiqued bronze metal stand for presentation.

Late Edo period

Dimensions: 17 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 6"

Samurai Helmet depicted respectfully displayed on the stand. Painted on silk with ink and kindei, which is gold pigments. The kabuto was an important part of the equipment of the samurai, and played a symbolic role as well, which may explain the Japanese expressions, sayings and codes related to them. The Signature reads Tosanomori Mitsuzane (The load of Tosa) and sealed...

The mask is of dark brown russet lacquer finish and the interior is smoothed lacquered red. The high jaw his two protrusion hooks for strapping the cords, underneath the chin is a vent hole. The mask is fitted with yodare kare of three row of false scale lace and blue silk.

19th Century Edo Period

Size: 6.75" L x 3" W x 8.5" H (12.5" H on stand)

The tatami armor was used by foot soldiers, archers, and spearmen. Its a lightweight armor which allowed the warriors to be more swift and fluid with their movements. It is also an economical munition armor as a alternative to the traditional lace scale construction. Going to battle was costly and this gave the clan army full protection from all levels of warfare.
The armors head gear covering has two flaps with a back slit...

Samurai Armor. Painted with ink and pigments on silk. Signed and sealed. It is dated as painted in Taisho 4, 1915.

Inoue Rosen was a Okayama born Japanese painter active during Taisho(1912-1926) and Showa era (1926-1989) in Japan...

A dark blue hemp fabric forms the base of these kote sleeve guards. The upper area is covered in iron chain mail with pair of double gourd plates, crest mon, gilt iron plates, throughout the kote. The shoulder edge has three hinge plates to fashion to the Do armor. Unusually mounted on a custom black iron stand.

Edo Period 18th Century

Size: 27.25" L x 12.5" H (17.5" H on stand)

Hard to find Japanese red lacquer Chochin Kabuto. This example of munition has the ability to fold for compact storage. The front 2 prongs are made for the meadate ornament. The underside of the shikoro (neck guard) in black lacquer, and the lames plates are secured with blue silk cords. Mounted on custom steel stand.

Red lacquer menpo may be purchased separately. (#1371484)

Edo Period 19th Century

Dimensions: 13" x 12.5" x 10.5" H (18" H on stand)

War fan, gunbai uchiwa, made of bronze clad wood, in the shape of a butterfly. In low relief on front and back the text Hachiman Daibosatsu, surrounded by generic family crests in the shape of quinces. Hachiman is a war deity. These fans were traditionally handled by samurai commanders to direct his troops in battle. It is also a symbol of power. Japan, Meiji era, late 19th century.

H 21.5 x W 15.75 inches

Some corrosion, good condition

A matching Edo period Myochin signed Go-mai-do Gusoku yoroi lacquered black and threaded with blue chord emblazoned with a seven star crest. It features a 24 plate suji kabuto with elaborate tehen kanamomo signed Myochin Ki Munemasa saku. The blossoming Shikoro features large back-turned Fukigaeshi and mabizashi covered in leather and also emblazoned with the seven star crest. Inserted in front is a sharp kuwa-gata maedate...

An Edo period suit of raw iron with all matching parts, featuring 16 plate helmet with two lame shikoro and large fukigaeshi. The mask is fantastic, a real stunner with dramatic features and a large mustache...

A Japanese iron war fan, or 'Gunbai'. These were accessories used on the battlefield to fan in heat but also as lethal, close quarter defensive accessories. A rare item not commonly encountered on the market. Black lacquered and with gold lacquer kanji quoting Sun Tzu (fifth century Chinese political and war strategist). "Swift as the wind, quiet as the forest, fierce as fire, immovable as the mountain", from 'The Art of War', popularized by 16th century Japanese warlord and Buddhist layman, Tak...