MYOCHIN: AN OKEGAWA NIMAI-DO GUSOKU (TWO-PIECE CUIRASS ARMOR) AND SUJIBACHI KABUTO, WITH NKBKHK TOKUBETSU KICHO (ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT) SHIRYO CERTIFICATE

The do by Myochin Munetaka, signed Wada Masao no motome ni yori, Myochin Munetaka saku kore
Japan, 19^th century, late Edo period (1615-1868)

With a Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo (Especially Important Object) certificate from the Association for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmets and Armor (Nihon Katchu Bugu Kenkyu Hozon Kai – NKBKHK), no. 2029, dated 14 May 2023, confirming the dating above.

The iron components laced in blue, mounted on blue silk, and fitted with kanamono with kiku (chrysanthemum) design, as well as umebachi (plum blossom) mon, associated with the Sugawara clan.

The armor comprises:
Kabuto (helmet): A sixteen-plate iron bowl with raised ridges, topped by a five-stage gilt-metal tehen kanamono, fitted with an agemaki-no-kan to the back, the mabisashi of typical form, flaked by gently upturned roiro-lacquered fukigaeshi adorned with the umebachi (plum blossom) mon, associated with the Sugawara clan, all above the four-lame jikoro.

Menpo (Mask): An iron menpo with a removable nose plate secured by turning pins, cast with flared nostrils and an open mouth, obscured by the trailing horse-tail moustache and goatee, designed with deeply embossed wrinkles, the chin with ase-nagashi, and cord pegs on rhombus grommets, all fitted with a three-lame yodarekake.

Do (Chest Plate): A nimai do with seven sections of five-lame kusazuri, the chest with a pair of gilt-metal chrysanthemum-form age’maki (decorative tassel), below a umebachi mon to the center, the back fitted with uke-zutsu (sashimono pole holder). The do signed Wada Masao no motome ni yori, MYOCHIN MUNETAKA saku kore [This is made by Myochin Munetaka at the request of Wada Masao].

Sode (Shoulder Guard): A pair of six-lame sode.

Haidate (Thigh Guard): A pair of iron and kusari (chain mail) haidate.

Kote (Armored Sleeves) and Tekko (Gauntlets): A pair of iron and kusari (chain mail) kote and tekko with elongated butterfly hinges.

Suneate (Shin Guards) and Kegutsu (Shoes): A pair of iron and kusari (chain mail) suneate attached to kegutsu.

Condition: Very good condition with expected wear, soiling, and corrosion to the iron. The lacquer with age cracks, small losses, and flaking. The fabric with small tears and associated losses.

With a wood storage box and armor stand, the wood storage box (yoroibako) inscribed to the one side with the character 前 mae [to advance].

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related tatehagi okegawa do tosei gusoku armor by the same maker, dated 1852, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 17 May 2012, lot 31 (sold for GBP 21,250 or approx. EUR 41,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).

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