Complete samurai armor, Iwai school
Japan, Edo period (1603-1868)
17th century
Iron, lacquer, silk

Kabuto of the suji-bachi type, tehen carved with leafy motifs, hachi comprising thirty-two suji, shikoro comprising three blades, mabizashi in iron covered with beige silk decorated with leafy motifs, maedate in the shape of a crescent moon bearing maru ni su-wama, mon of the Tsubo-uchi family.
Ryubu type mempo, worn by noble men – without wrinkles, bearing mzru ni mitsu uroko, mon of the Hira-no family; gorget made of three lacquer strips.
Two-part do covered with black lacquer, oshitsuke no ita and wakilta covered with beige silk decorated with floral motifs, closing on the side.
Navy blue silk kote, decorated with houses, floral and cloud motifs, lacquer trim.
Kusazuri in textured lacquer composed of five slats, kanmuri ita covered in beige silk decorated with floral motifs.
Haidate with chikara-gawa in brown silk with geometric patterns, Ieji with leafy and floral patterns, Iyo in iron covered with lacquer.
Suneate in black lacquer.

Founded by the renowned gunsmith Iwai Yozaemon, who lived between the Momoyama period and the early Edo period, the Iwai school is considered one of the oldest gunsmithing schools in Japan.

Ref.: 5988

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON