Collection
Suit of Armor with Red-Lacquered Iron Plates and Smoked Leather Thongs
| Suit of Armor with Red-Lacquered Iron Plates and Smoked Leather Thongs |
| Height of cuirass 40.9 cm; Momoyama to Edo period, late 16th to early 17th century; Shiga Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property; Gift of the Ii Family |
This suit is thought to have been worn by second daimyo Ii Naotaka (1590–1659). The cuirass is in the nuinobe-dō style, made by binding broad strips of iron plate (itazane) into tiered layers. Close leather lacing (kebiki odoshi) was employed from the waist down, while sparse lacing (sugake odoshi) was used for the other parts. The helmet is fitted with huge, horn-like “sky piercers” (tentsuki). The face protector has teeth and a moustache. This style of armor was solidly constructed without unnecessary decoration, making it well suited for actual battle.
