Armor (Gusoku)
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Iron, leather, lacquer, silk, copper alloy
Dimensions
as mounted, approx.: H. 77 in. (195.6 cm); W. 26 in. (66 cm); D. 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm)
Classification
Armor for Man
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1904
Accession Number
04.4.2
Art Historical Context
This striking 19th-century Japanesegusoku* (complete armor) stands as a testament to the samurai warrior's formidable presence, towering at nearly 77 inches tall. Crafted from iron plates laced together with silk cords, reinforced with leather, and adorned with lacquer and copper alloy fittings, it the intricate *tosei-gusoku* style developed during the Edo period. The lacquer not only provided waterproofing and corrosion resistance but also allowed for vibrant decoration, blending functionality with aesthetic elegance. Historically, such armor protected samurai during Japan's feudal era, tho...