ARMOR OF SAKAI DAIMYO

ERA:  Momoyama Ca. 1573-1615
STYLE:   Namban Dou Gusoku
SCHOOL:  Most likely Myouchin with some Saiga school influence. 
Fittings are high quality shakudo, likely that of the Goto school.
REGION:  Kanto
SIGNATURE:  None

DESCRIPTION
Here is a very fine russet armor with a dou that has western influence.  This armor is complete, and in beautiful condition for its age.  The overall weight of this armor is very heavy with very thick plating throughout.  The Kabuto is of the “oki te nugui” style and has a heart shaped opening at the back of the kabuto bordered by shakudo, above it hangs a shakudo pommel with a chrysanthemum kamon.  Matching shakudo fittings are found on the helmet, and dou (front and back).  The shikoro is in its original state with the original family kamon on the fukigaeshi.  The gold lacquered kamon are the “Ken Katabami” which were used by the Sakai family true line, not a branch family.  The mabizashi is unusual in
form showing possible influence from the Saiga school.  The mabizashi is adorned with fukurin that have been decorated with vines and microscopic nanako that show the great skill of the artisan who crafted them the fittings for this suit.  The Dou is a heavy plate namban dou.
The dou is decorated on the front right breast with a shakudo fitting decorated in kind with the fitting on the back of the dou and the back of the kabuto.  Again it is of a chrysanthemum with microscopic nanako background.  Even the hinge at the side of the armor which allows for opening is pinned with a shakudo pin which holds the hinge together.  The borders of the dou are piped with a shakudo rope shaped fukurin.  This style of fukurin is rarely done and evern more rarely in shakudo as it is very difficult to execute without breaking.  The back of the dou is decorated with a matching
fitting of which the plate is covered entirely with tiny nanako executed flawlessly.  There is a holder for a flag that supports an original flag pole and flag.  The pole breaks down into three pieces for easy storage and is lacquered black with mother of pearl inlay.  The flag bears the colors and crest of the Sakai family and dates to the Edo period as does the flag pole.  This sort of large flag would have been worn by the daimyo on a battlefield.  The kusazuri which hang from the dou are hon kozane, or individually lacquered plates as opposed to the less expensive kiritsuke kozane
that were constructed of a solid plate made to look like hon kozane.  The kote and haidate are heavy plate steel with a ribbing pattern filed into the steel.  Though plain in appearance, this pattern would have been extremely difficult and time consuming to accomplish.  I think it worthy to mention that the still of this armor was not originally russet.  It was originally polished steel.   This armor would have glistened from far away.  This can be told by the fact that there are still areas on the armor where the original polish has not been overcome by oxidation and still hold a degree of shine.   The suneate are black/dark brown lacquered and match the rest of the armor perfectly with fabric, lacing and lacquer.  They are longer than your average sengoku suneate yet are very indicative of the period.  The original double boxes with gilt Kenkatabami kamon are included.  One last thing that is worth mentioning is that this armor most likely came from the same school and smiths as the armor attributed to Akechi Mitsuhide currently on display at the national museum.  The sweeping muneita of the breast plate and the kote are close matches to the style and design. 
 

Please refer to page 24 of Yoshihiko Sasama’s “Kachu no Subete” for a comparison.  The description of the Sakai daimyo armor has been made short for the purpose of brevity, and further information may be provided upon request.

Please Inquire for Price

Currently on Loan to Frazier Museum