Okegawa dō tosei gusoku, Edo period

Edo period, early 18^th century

The helmet is a very rare iron zunari kabuto (helmet in the shape of a human head) with high level iron kirigane (cut-out applications). The lower side is in fact decorated with an applied karakusa band, while the top is fitted with an elaborate openwork lozenge from which a long ken descends toward the visor. The front plate is sharply embossed with eyebrows and wrinkles. The four-stage shikoro (neck protector) is laced in kebiki odoshi with three colors, as the rest of the armor.

The cuirass is of okegawa–dō style, with horizontal plates of wavy outline, decorated with an unusual silver motif of a constellation.

The sleeves (kote) are fitted with a high quality chain-mail and iron protectors.

This authentic samurai armor is decorated with a maedate of stylized horns on the helmet and a large umajirushi on the back. On many parts, including fukigaeshi, dō, umajirushi and armor boxes’ leather covers, a family crest (kamon) with hawk feathers has been applied.