Author:Anonymous
Category：Weapons and defense
Year：ca. 1725
Size:Length:95 x Width:107 x Height170 (cm)
Weight:46.64kg
Introduction：O-yoroi refers to the large suits of armour worn by Japanese warriors as early as the 10th century, though they did not gain popular use for around another two centuries. In crafting O-yoroi, armourers would use metal plate on only the most critical portions of the armour to cut back on weight, leaving the rest to be covered with leather; alternatively, plate and leather could be interwoven to achieve the same effect. Even with a reduction in the overall use of plate, each suit of armour could weigh as much as 35 kilograms. Both heavy and thick, the O-yoroi was fitted to many parts of the human body and consequently hindered movement during battle. Hence, the O-yoroi was not used for infantry and spearmen.
Tokugawa Yoshimune (1684-1751), the eighth Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, commissioned numerous reproduction of the Kamakura period, which resulted in a trend for retro-styled armour from the Heian and Kamakura periods. The O-yoroi currently in the Chimei collection is very representative of that period. It uses a rare silk-wrapping technique over the entire body of armour, which uses silk yarn to form the armour’s central skeleton, while the outer shell is covered with a decorative design, again using yarn. As one might assume, this is a very distinctive technique that incorporates many complex steps. Such embellished but beautifully-styled armour was only the property of the wealthiest samurai, as the lower classes had not the means to own or produce such exquisite pieces. The lifelike and opulent dragon design on the helmet is particularly inspired. Being carved of wood, the dragon is wonderfully preserved with only a small number of marks resulting from restoration. Inset with glass eyes and golden dragon-whiskers, the headpiece is truly a magnificent piece of art.
This particular O-yoroi did not undergo any restoration or alteration after the Edo period, and to this day the full set of armour has been kept intact and well-preserved, owing to the skill of Japanese armourers from the 18th century. As such, the Nihon Katchû Bugu Kenkyû Hozon Kai (NKBKHK, an armour society in Japan) has given this armour a certificate issued by the society which appraises it as an "outstanding piece of art".
Accession Number:0010678
Place of Orgin：Japan