Samurai Cuirass

A black-lacquered, two-section, or clam shell, Western influenced samurai cuirass (kuro urushi nuri ni-mai nanban-do). The cuirass is constructed of a single upper plate and two lower plates. The upper plate is of Western influence, demonstrated by a prominent medial ridge from top to bottom. The surface is wrapped with leather and lacquer is built up to imitate the appearance of flattened rivet heads. The two lower plates are made of horizontal lames coated with black lacquer formed into "false scales" (kiritsuke kozane) to give the appearance of individual scales. These plates are connected with dark blue silk lacing in the kebiki-odoshi style. The upper lames are attached to metal plates coated with black lacquer, which are used to attach other fixtures securely to the cuirass. Each of these plates has a decorative, gold rim (fukurin). A hinge on the left side of the cuirass allows it to open and close and a burgundy tie on the right side secures it when worn.

The upper-most back plate (boko-no-ita) supports the shoulder straps (watagami) which reach over the shoulders to the front of the cuirass. Thick, burgundy cords line the tops of the shoulder straps. The upper-most front plate (muna-ita) supports dark brown toggles made of horn which secure the shoulder straps. A brigandine armored collar (tate-eri or eri-mawashi) with an integrated shoulder pad (eri-dai) is detached but would be placed beneath the shoulder straps. Although in poor condition, the underside was originally of green fabric. The exterior is of hexagonal iron plates (kikko) beneath a top layer of blue cloth. Burgundy lacing is then sewn through each individual plate. Green thread is sewn around each plate to create a honeycomb pattern. Two armored pads (kobire or kohire) remain attached to the outside of the shoulder straps.

Five lame, pendant-like tassets (gessan) hang from the bottom of the cuirass. Lames get progressively wider as they advance down the gessan. Each lame is coated with black lacquer formed into "false scales" (kiritsuke kozane) to give the appearance of individual scales. Lames are connected to one another with dark blue silk lacing in the kebiki-odoshi style.