Japanese Samurai Armor (Gusoku)

Museum Archive

This example comes from the armory of Date Yoshimura (1703–1746), daimyo (lord) of Sendai. The helmet bowl, signed Saotome Iye[tada?], dates from the sixteenth century; the remainder of the armor was constructed in the eighteenth century. The breastplate is inscribed inside with the armorer's name, Myōchin Munesuke (1688–1735). The embossed ornament on the solid iron plates is characteristic of the Myōchin school. Image and description courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Open Access).

World Museum Certificate
# 000000650
Documented and Archived in the World Museum

OwnerThe Metropolitan Museum of Art

CollectionAsian Art

CategoryTōsei gusoku (Modern Armor)