Bidspirit auction | A RED LACQUER SUIT-OF-ARMOUR (YOROI),

A RED LACQUER SUIT-OF-ARMOUR (YOROI), MID-SHOWA PERIOD - A great, complete and all-matching Japanese red lacquer suit-of-armour (yoroi) with green and red cords, a multicoloured and orange hem and a 2-piece cuirass (kurenai’urushinuri iroiro’ito hi’suso nimaidô tôsei gusoku) featuring a large copper dragon relief emblem on the cuirass (dô). – 10-plate hoshi’bachi kabuto (helmet with domed rivets) with long brass kuwagata-antlers flanking a crescent moon-shaped maedate. 5-Tiered chrysanthemum-shaped tehen’no’kanamono (decorative apex fitting), orange silk decorative tassel (agemaki), 2-tiered ‘itazane’-plate shikoro (neck guards) and large back-bending fukikaeshi (face guards) covered with light decorative ‘smoked leather’ and fitted with circular appliques shaped like chrysanthemum flowers (kiku). – ‘Angry man’-facial mask (resseibô-type menpô), separate nose-piece with dark brown moustache, and 4-tiered ‘itazane’-plate gorget (yodarekake). – Sode (shoulder guards), ô-type, constructed with 6 ‘itazane’-plates, adorned with orange silk cords with decorative tassels. – Kote (bracer), shino-type, long lacquered metal pieces connected by Japanese mail (kaushi-gusari), placed over light brocade silk with a floral design. – Dô (cuirass), ‘dangae’-type (lit. stepchanging), laced lacquered ‘itazane’-plates, above 4 rivetted ‘itazane’-lames’ with domed rivets boasting a large relief applique showcasing a sinuous dragon. In front also two small orange silk agemaki. Hanging from the bottom a 6-parts of 5-piece ‘itazane’-plate kusazuri (tassets). – Green silk waistband (uwa’obi) -discoloured-. – Haidate (thigh armour) of 4-rows of 18 red lacquered laced ‘kawara’-plates, matching silk and decorative ‘smoked leather’ borders. – Suneate (shin guards), tsutsu-type, tube-shaped with large vertical metal plates laced over matching silk, and with tateage (knee guards) of the same material. Complete with a square black lacquered store-box for a suit-of armour (yoroi’bako). The front of the store-box decorated with the character mae 前 (“in front”) in gold. The Kanji “Mae” meaning “the first”; in other words: “I, who has priority above others”. Approx. height with box: 160 cm. Period: Japan – Mid-Shôwa period (Mid 20th century). Considering its age in a very good original condition with some traces of wear conform age. For a clear condition reference, please have a look at the photos.