Japanese Armors @ Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 13 Sep 2011, New York
Ahighly important Haruta-school tosei gusoku. Late 16th century. Photo Bonhams
The armor of completely matched elements with original green and orange lacing intact and comprising: a thirty-two plate akoda nari kabuto lacquered black and mounted with silvered-copper fukurin and igaki pierced at the base with inoshishime, the top of the bowl adorned with a four-stage chrysanthemum-form tehen kanamono carved with vines, the five-lame Hineno-style shikoro ending in small fukigaeshi, the mabizashi finished with a "rope" edge, a gilt-bronze tsuki to hoshi maedate; the iron reisei men lacquered black and applied with a boar's bristle mustache and chin tuft, the lips lacquered red and the teeth silvered, fitted with a four-lame yodarekake; the cuirass a ni-mai maru do of iron scales laced in kebiki and fitted with seven sections of four-lame kusazuri, the front of the cuirass applied with a small gilt-copper gumbai and hexagonal medallions containing plum florets, the heraldic crests of the Okudaira clan; tosei sode; oda gote; shino suneate; kawara haidate; one wood storage box; no armor stand - Estimate: US$60,000 - 70,000
Provenance: Okudaira Nobumasa (1555–1615
Kyushoin Temple, Kyoto, the Okudaira family temple
Published: Nakamura Tatsuo, Ken to yoroi to rekishi (Kyoto: Kennin Shoku, 1999)
Nakamura Tatsuo, Nakamura Koutoushushikan: Kitaku zoushin zuroku (Kyoto: Kennin Shoku, 1999)
Notes: This armor is historically attributed to Okudaira Nobumasa. The historical attribution is supported by an inscription (hako gaki) on the inside of the box written by San Ko Shoeki, the founder of the Kyushoin temple in Kyoto where the armor is thought to have been located until modern times. Kyushoin has a long association with the Okudaira clan. The inscription in the box is believed to be authentic as it is written in old Japanese script (kanbun) and uses nuances and phrases relevant to the era in question.
The armor is typical of a high-quality armor produced by the Haruta group during the Warring States period (sengoku jidai)in Japan (1467-1610) during the lifespan of Okudaira Nobumasa. The helmet shows alterations on the inside that are typical of alterations done to armors that were made during the second half of the 1500s and updated before the battle of Sekigahara. The fukurin or metal piping on the helmet is plated with silver rather than with gold, which was much more typical. The fabric of the leg protectors is black velvet, which is known to have been imported by Portuguese traders and employed for use in very high-quality armors made by the Haruta group during the late-16th and early-17th centuries. The front of cuirass is decorated with small badges (kanamon), a decorative motif that became popular among Samurai who had served in the Korean campaigns under Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) in the early 1590s. After the Battle of Sekigahara (21st day of the 9th month of 1600), the custom fell out of fashion and virtually all of these kanamono were removed. It is rare to find an armor with these articles still intact. In its current state, this armor appears as it did in 1600 when it was last worn into the Battle of Sekigahara (21st day of the 9th month of 1600).
Okudaira Nobumasa (born Sadamasa) is considered a fulcrum in Japanese history since his role at a key battle changed the course of Japanese history. His birth name was Sadamasa and he was originally a retainer of the Tokugawa clan but was forced into service with Takeda Shingen (1521–1573). Upon Takeda Shingen's death, Sadamasa left the service of the Takeda clan and rejoined Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616). His action enraged Shingen's son, Takeda Katsuyori (1546–1582), who had Okudaira's wife, children and brother crucified for the action. Then, in 1575, Katsuyori besieged Okudaira at Nagashino Castle, which guarded the gateway to Mikawa, Ieyasu's hometown. Okudaira, with a force of 500, made a stubborn defense against the Takeda force of 15,000. Fueled by the fire of retribution for the execution of his family, Okudaira was able to hold out long enough for the Oda and Tokugawa forces to rally. Because the siege wore the Takeda forces down and allowed the allies to organize and set up their defenses, the Takeda lost the battle. This was a major turning point which ultimately lead to the end of the Warring States period. Without the efforts and loyalty of Okudaira, the Warring States period may have continued much longer.
For his service at the siege of Nagashino Castle, Okudaira was given permission from Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) to use the first character of his name "Nobu" and change his name from Sadamasa to Nobumasa. Tokugawa Ieyasu awarded him Nagashino Castle and married his eldest daughter, Kamehime, to him. He was later awarded the territory of Miyasaki, which had an income of 30,000 koku. For his service at the Battle of Sekigahara on the side of the Tokugawa, Okudaira was appointed the first Kyoto Shoshidai or special attaché of the Shogun to the Emperor under the Tokugawa government. Later he was rewarded with the Kano domain in Mino province, which was a 100,000 koku income territory. He died in 1615 at the age of 59.
Inside the box is a separate piece of paper that reads "Written by Master Sanko." This was likely written by a monk of the temple who was a follower of Sanko Shoeki, the founder of the temple.
The inscription on the inside of the box may be translated as follows:
"Explanation of this armor in the Kyushoin temple (of the Kenninji Temple complex) owned by Okudaira Nobumasa.
This armor previously belonged to Lord Okudaira descendant of Taira Nobumasa of Sakushu, and trusted and loyal retainer to the Shogun (Tokugawa Ieyasu). I was his close friend.
He played the most important role and rendered distinctive service at Nagashino when he showed great bravery in the face of the enemy and did not retreat even when outnumbered 1000 to 1 and was bestowed rewards for his actions.
He was not just a strong warrior but an accomplished intellectual and educated gentlemen who was multi-talented and was accomplished in the ways of poetry, manner, calligraphy, tea ceremony, etc.
Not only did he accomplish many great things, but he was proper and respectful and made sacrifices for the good of the country, and was a great man.
When I look at this armor I feel as if Lord Okudaira's spirit is here with me and I remember him and feel like he is here before me.
This is surely a very important treasure of this temple.
June 14th in the 16th year of the Kanei Era (1637)
23 years after the death of Lord Nobumasa
I (the old) Sanko Shoeki reflect on my memories and write this account.
Signed with kao."
A good iroiro odoshi do-maru armor, 19th century. Photo Bonhams
The hon-kozane armor laced in orange, green, blue and white and comprising a sixty-six-plate russet-iron hoshi kabuto with a four-stage tehen kanamono, the five-lame shikoro terminating in large fuki-gaeshi applied with stenciled-doe skin, gilt-copper maru ni tachi aoi family crests and fukurin edging, the mabizashi mounted with a shakudo kuwagata dai pierced with foliate scroll and short gilt-copper kuwagata, gilt-copper and shakudo maedate carved as a sun rising from behind swirling clouds; russet-iron menpo finished to a migaki surface, illegibly signed, and fitted with a three-lame solid-plate yodarekake hinged in sections; the maru do mounted with gilt-copper fittings pierce carved with scroll, seven sections of five-lame kusazuri; chain mail kote with iron chrysanthemum plates; chu-sode; kawara haidate; tsubo suneate fur boots; one Chinese-style armor box; no stand - Estimate: US$20,000 - 30,000
A Hikone shu gusoku with a kawari kabuto. Late 16th-early 17th century. Photo Bonhams
Laced in blue and lacquered red with black highlights and comprising: a nami gashira (crashing wave helmet) constructed of lacquer, wood and paper applied to an iron zunari kabuto and fitted with a five-lame shikoro; the lacquered iron reisei men applied with a bushy bristle mustache and chin tuft in boar's hair and fitted with a four-lame yodarekake; the cuirass a ni-mai nuinobe do with six sections of four-lame kusazuri; tosei sode; shino gote; Etchu haidate; shino suneate; one lacquered-leather storage box decorated with heraldic crests of ya ni maru; no armor stand - Estimate: US$18,000 - 25,000.
Published: Igyo no yosoi: katchu bugu wo chushin ni, (Gunma: Tobi rekishi shiryokan, 2002), exh. cat., no. 28.
Note: This style of armor is often called hikone gusoku, as the samurai of the Ii family, stewards of Hikone, often wore red armors of this style. Ii Naomasa (1561-1602) was the first to wear a red suit of armor into battle. It was believed that a blood-red suit could offer a distinct psychological advantage. For its considerable age, this armor is generally in very good original condition with some minor restoration in places. The lacing on the cuirass and helmet is matching woven cotton and appears to be original. The lacing on the sode and menpo, however, seem to be later additions.
A black-lacquer armor with a yokohagi do, 18th-19th century. Photo Bonhams
Lacquered black and laced in blue with white and orange highlights and comprising a twenty-plate russet-iron o-boshi kabuto finished with a four-stage gilt-copper tehen kanamono and kata jiro style mounting with the front and rear plates finished in shakudo and pierce carved with peony scroll and set against gilt metal under plates and finished with shakudo shinodare, the five-lame solid shikoro with fukigaeshi applied with stenciled doe skin, silk cords and gilt-metal family crests of the Hirate clan, the abizashi also with stenciled doe skin and silk cords, the helmet adorned with a lacquered wood long-horned oni maedate with horse-hair whiskers; the cuirass a go-mai yokohagi okegawa do fitted with eight sections of five-lame lacquered iron kusazuri hinged in the center, the do decorated with gilt-metal hardware carved with chrysanthemum scroll and applied with stenciled doe skin; hiro sode; shino gote; kawara haidate; tsutsu suneate; leather boots; large wood storage box with a removable inner tray; no armor stand - Estimate: US$15,000 - 20,000
A black-lacquer armor. 18th-19th century. Photo Bonhams
Lacquered black and laced in blue with white and orange highlights, comprising a sixty-two plate ko-boshi akoda nari kabuto with a four-stage gilt-metal and shakudo tehen kanamono, the mabizashi trimmed with silver fukurin carved with vines, the five-lame shikoro ending in small fukigaeshi with ya ni maru family crests in gold lacquer; iron Nara men lacquered red and applied with a full horse hair mustache and chin tuft and fitted with a four-lame yodarekake; ni-mai maru do with iron scales, the muna-ita trimmed with silver fukurin to match the helmet, with seven sections of four-lame kusazuri; tosei sode; oda gote; Etchu haidate; shino suneate; one wood storage box; no armor stand - Estimate: US$15,000 - 20,000
A russet-iron armor with a Myochin School helmet. Helmet and maedate by Myochin Muneyoshi, late 19th century. Photo Bonhams
Laced in two shades of blue and comprising a twenty-four plate russet-iron suji kabuto lavishly mounted in kata jiro style with the plates at the front and rear of the bowl silvered and carved with swirling clouds and applied with larger gilt-metal plates at the base finished in nanako and foliate scroll and with shinodare running down from a large four-stage silvered and gilt metal tehen kanamono carved with vines and chrysanthemum bosses, the mabizashi with gilt-copper fukurin, the bowl signed and dated on the interior Myochin (no) ki Muneyoshi saku kore Ansei rokunen nigatsu kishijitsu (Myochin Muneyoshi made this on an auspicious day in 1859.2), mounted with a four-lame solid shikoro with the fukigaeshi applied with stenciled doe skin, silk cord and gilt-copper fukurin and tsuki to hoshi family crests, the russet iron oni maedate signed Myochin (no) ki Muneyoshi saku; the russet-iron Okina men fitted with a four-lame solid-plate yodarekake; go-mai yokohagi okegawa do with eight sections of five-lame kusazuri; tosei sode; shino gote with iron plates and chain mail; haidate of iron plates; shino suneate; lacquered-wood storage box with large tsuki to hoshi crests in gold lacquer; no armor stand - Estimate: US$15,000 - 20,000
A russet-iron armor with an okegawa do with a bullet test. 19th century. Photo Bonhams
Laced in dark blue and orange with the components lacquered russet-brown, the helmet a sixty-two-plate russet-iron akoda nari suji kabuto, the mabizashi embossed with eyebrows and trimmed with shakuro fukurin decorated with foliate scroll carved and inlaid with gold, the five-lame shikoro ending in large fukigaeshi decorated with stenciled-doe skin, silk piping and gilt-leather wari shichiyo family crests, the front of the bowl decorated with a gold-lacquer sun, the kuwagata-dai pierced with chrysanthemum scroll and fitted with gilt-metal kuwagata and a Buddhist ken; the menpo with a bushy bristle mustache, the teeth silvered, fitted with a chain mail throat guard; two lame nodawa; ni-mai hatomune yokohagi okegawa do with scalloped plates mounted with gilt-copper kanamono fitted with seven sections of five-lame kusazuri; gyoyo covered in doe skin; chu-sode; oda gote; Etchu haidate; shino suneate; one armor box, no armor stand. Estimate: US$10,000 - 15,000
A miniature armor. Early 20th century. Photo Bonhams
Constructed in the same manner and materials as a full-sized armor with the components lacquered gold and laced in orange mounted with gilt-metal hardware carved with chrysanthemum scroll and comprising a sixteen-plate russet-iron o-boshi kabuto mounted in kata jiro style with gilt-metal plates carved with swirling clouds and shinodare, the wide four-lame shikoro finishing in large fuki-gaeshi applied with stenciled doe skin, silk cord and circular gilt-metal crests carved with chrysanthemums; a russet-iron menpo with a two-lame yodarekake; the maru do of iron scales and fitted with seven sections of five-lame kusazuri; kyubi no ita and sendan no ita; o-sode; namazu gote decorated with chrysanthemums and butterflies in gold lacquer on a black-lacquer ground; kawara haidate; russet-iron tsutsu suneate; boar's fur boots; one black-lacquer yoroi bitsu storage box and outer wood storage box; one armor stand - Estimate: US$10,000 - 15,000
Bonhams. Fine Japanese Works of Art, 13 Sep 2011, New York www.bonhams.com