Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>)

Hiromichi Miura

17th century; restorations, 2015 · Iron, leather, lacquer, gold, copper, silver, textile, silk · Arms and Armor

The breastplate and backplate of this distinctive armor are constructed of hinged iron plates. This design affords a similar degree of protection as solid-plate armor but provides greater flexibility and a closer fit for the wearer. Hinged cuirasses of the seventeenth century are rare, and were among the most expensive and time-consuming types of armor to produce. They are believed to have been used primarily by the Uesugi family and associated domains.

Artist

Hiromichi Miura

Date

17th century; restorations, 2015

Medium

Iron, leather, lacquer, gold, copper, silver, textile, silk

Culture

Japanese

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Etsuko O. Morris and John H. Morris Jr., 2018