Armor

About the Art

The Edo period (1615–1868) was largely a time of peace in Japan, when armor makers refined techniques from previous generations. Numerous craftsmen contributed to the construction of samurai suits. Note the many materials used, including iron, lacquer and silk.

The helmet is from the Muromachi period (1336–1573), signed and dated on the inside by Myochin Nobuie, one of the celebrated armor makers of the period. A fine example of a “ridged helmet” (suji-kabuto), the bowl is made from 62 iron plates that are riveted together, the overlap of each creating a distinct ridge. Well-made armor from the past was valued and integrated into later suits such as this one.

FEATURED IMAGE
Myōchin Nobuie (helmet bowl, Japanese, 1486?–1564?), Artist(s) unknown (Japanese, Edo period, 1615–1868), Armor, 1511 (helmet bowl), about 1750, iron, lacquer, lacing, leather, shakudo, silver, gold, copper, brocade, horse hair, glass. Museum purchase with funds provided by The Kettering Fund, 2016.51