Namban Dou with Bullet Test Marks

ERA:  Edo Period – Genroku Era (late 1600s-early 1700s)

STYLE:  Namban dou

SCHOOL:  Most likely Kaga Myouchin

SIGNATURE: None visible 

A very high quality dou in near mint condition.  This type of dou is called a Namban dou, or dou of barbarian influence, as it's style was adopted from armors worn by western traders of the times.  It is difficult to pinpoint the school, however the leather work that is found on the top front and top back plates is the same that is found on the mabazashis of Kaga school armors.  This dou is very special for a number of reasons.  First of all the lacquer is in excellent condition all around.  The russet lacquer suffers from a few very very minor hairline cracks in non-obvious places.  The metal is very heavy plate and has been bullet tested repeatedly.  The front and side plates have been shot 15 times in all with a musket to test the strength. The back plate has not been shot.   In addition to being decorated with bullet test marks, this dou is covered on all sides with shakudo fittings in the shapes of various kamon.  It is covered by 31 fittings in all.   Each of the shakudo fittings is roughly the shape of a penny in diameter and there are five different kamon; a swastika, fan, cherry blossom,  and two geometric patterns.  The top plate of the dou on the front and back is covered in tooled leather that has various intricate patterns in which chrysanthemum and feathers can be discerned.  There is a gold plated copper breast ring on each side of the front plate of the dou backed by a shakudo washer.  On the back plate is a large gold plated ring that is backed by an engraved openwork shakudo decorative plate. The work is very fine craftsmanship.  The top each of all the plates is bordered by shakudo or shibuichi (hakudo) piping.  The inside of the dou is lined with gilt leather lining and shiny black lacquer.  All cords on this dou are original with the exception of the cords which bind the shoulder plates to the front plate.  The clasps have been replaced with plastic ones as well. It is likely by judging the quality of this armor that the clasps would have been of unusual quality and it is likely that they were replaced and sold separately.  All in all this is a great example of an extremely rare piece that can be fitted with kusazuri and added to complete an armor or just be appreciated on its own for its own special artistic value.

SOLD