The armor is comprised of a round helmet with a neck protector and a crescent-moon shaped ornament; a mask with fake mustache; an upper-body protector with sleeves from waist down and paulownia crest in the middle; a thigh cover; two metal leg protectors; two arm and hand protectors. The suit is stored in a black lacquered box with the gold crest.
The helmet is made of red-painted metal lined with indigo-died cotton fabric and deer skin leather trim, which is attached to the metal helmet. The cotton is quilted with indigo-dyed cotton threads. There are two loops on side and one loop in the back, to hold a code for tying below the wearer’s chin. The code is indigo-dyed and then plaited; there are some fading areas. On the outside of helmet, the paulownia crest is on side flaps (to protect ears). There is a hole in the middle of the helmet for a head ornament. The metal leaves are interlaced with cotton strings. Ceremonial knots of yellow code on the back. It weights about 10 pounds.
The helmet ornament is in crescent moon shape and made of lacquered wood in gold color. There is a slot on the back to place the ornament in the helmet. The slot is nailed to the wood; it looks like a later creation.
The mask covers below the wearer’s eyes, ears, nose and mouth, and down to front neck. The upper part is made of metal; the neck is in metal pieces and cotton codes. The mustache is made of animal hair. The mouth has fake teeth painted with gold.
The arm and hand protectors are made of red-painted metal shell and silk fabric with small flower motifs lined with deerskin and indigo-dyed cotton fabric. The shell is consisted of small metal panels connected with chains. The hand protectors have three different crests. The protectors are tied with indigo dyed cotton codes on back.
The leg protectors are also made of red-painted metal with silk fabric lining. On the metal surface of each piece, there are the artist’s signature and seal.
The body is consisted of metal panels, lacquered with gold in design of peonies and vines. The family crest appears in the middle. Metal knots are in chrysanthemum design. Inside is lined with leather printed with lions and peonies. The shoulder pads are made of cotton quilt in tortoise shell design.
The apron for thighs is made of silk fabric quilt and metal panels. The metal panels protect thighs. The apron belt is made of cotton kasuri; the back is lined with indigo dyed cotton.
The thick belt for the body is made of padded silk fabric.
Hirado ware blue-and-white water covered jar with design of Chinese sages
Artist
Artist Unknown Hirado ware, Japan
Physical Description
This white porcelain jar has the design of six Chinese sages and an attendant boy with blue underglaze in delicate brushwork. One sage is reading a book, while another is listening. The attendant boy is standing next to the sage with a book. Other four sages are looking at a long hand scroll. Some sages hold staffs on their hands. One sage has a string instrument. The jar has a broad shoulder and an inverted mouth, where the lid is placed. The knob of the lid is in a shape of a reclining boy (unpainted), surrounded by books, hanging scrolls, a cane, and a fan, which are painted with blue underglaze. It also has a shallow foot.
This plate has durable body and protective glazed surface. Seven brown ring-like patterns (said to be modeled after horse eyes) decorate the inner rim of the large plate. The outermost edge is ringed in brown.
Century
late 18th-19th century
Object Creation Date
1615-1868
Accession Number
1942.5
Medium and Support
stoneware, gray with iron and white slip painting with clear glaze
An elegant writing box, which originally came with a paperknife, a water-dropper, and a stone for grinding the ink. Black laquer with poetic motifs formed out of abalone shells, gold, silver and corroded lead.
The Fifty-three Stations of the Tôkaidô Road (Hôeidô edition): Night Snow at Kambara (Second state)
Artist
Andô Hiroshige
Physical Description
In this print, sophisticated use of soft lines, rounded forms, dark sky, and subtle tones convey the utter silence and weariness of the figures as they trudge through the night-time snow near Kambara.
Here, caught in a sudden downpour, people rush along the steep hillside. Bamboo bends under the force of wind and rain, and the people in the foreground mimic this downward motion in order to shield their eyes from the water streaming upon them in torrents. Masterfully depicted, the viewer can almost feel the bullets of rain, and sense of sympathy for these unfortunate travelers.
Eight Views of Ômi: Night Rain at Karasaki (Karasaki no Ya-u) Number 2 of the "Omi Hakkei No Uchi" series (Eight Views of Lake Biwa)
Artist
Andô Hiroshige
Physical Description
Vertical lines stream downward across the print indicated torrents of rain. The dark color pallette and black strip across the top indicate that the image is set at night. A giant pine looms over the image.
Eight Views of Edo Suburbs: Fishing Boats Returning to Gyôtoku
Artist
Andô Hiroshige
Physical Description
The pyramid shaped hills in the background of this print are those of the boiling houses and salt piles of Gyôtoku’s salt industry. A ferry boat, or watashi-bune, carries passengers in the foreground of this picture. In this print a shipman steers using the large rudder located in the back of the boat.
Young Girl Crossing a Bridge on a Windy Day; Calendar Print: Parody of "Crossing at the Sano Ford" (Hashi wo wataru musume: Egoyomi, Mitate Sano no watari)
Artist
Suzuki Harunobu
Artist Life Dates
(1725? - 1770)
Century
18th century
Object Creation Date
1765
Accession Number
1948/1.155
Medium and Support
color woodblock print (nishiki e) on paper, medium-size (chûban)
Autumn Wind, from the Furyu rokkasen (The Six Elegant Poets) series
Artist
Suzuki Harunobu
Physical Description
A young woman hurries across a bridge, using one of her sleeves to shield her head from the strong wind. Plants around her bend in the force of the wind, and tree branches lose their leaves. An Uta poem by Bunya-no-Yasuhide graces the top register.
Artist Life Dates
(1725? - 1770)
Century
18th century
Object Creation Date
ca. 1768
Accession Number
1948/1.156
Medium and Support
chûban (medium size) nishiki-e (full-color woodblock print) on paper
