Description
Japan.
Samurai yoroi of the Showa period (1926-1989).
Japanese armor made during the Showa period was not armor designed for combat, but an element of decoration and vindication of the family’s samurai past.
This Yoroi (大鎧) is formed by a kabuto or helmet (兜) of the shiinari kawari type (変 わ り 兜) with a wooden crest or maedate (立物) belonging to the family clan on top. The mempo or mask (面頬) stands out for its moustache, teeth and hanging neck armor or yodare-kake (襟廻). The mempo and kabuto are made of steel, as are the cuirass or do (胴), the spaulders or sode (袖) and the fauld or kusazuri (草摺), although these are lacquered in earthy red. It also contains greaves or suneate (臑当) and gauntlets or tekkō (手甲). The ties that join the metal pieces are made of cotton.
The box is of modern manufacture.