SAMURAI.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Illustrated Edo manuscript demonstrating how to put on armour. A colourful and intricately painted explanation of the complex steps samurai followed to don their famous warrior armour and required undergarments.The sequential illustrations show the fitting of a loincloth, shirt, and cord belt. The figure puts on trousers, slippers, leggings, sandals, greaves, and thigh guards, followed by the external armoured vest, belt, and shoulder guards. A couple of paintings show the warrior jumping and moving to test the fit of the armour and the security of the knots. Finally, he straps on his swords and secures his mask, helmet, and arm guards, completing a fearsome appearance.This manuscript was brushed on the cusp of the major changes in the status of the samurai. After the Meiji Restoration, imperial decrees began to curtail their privileges and elite social standing - changes which transformed works like the present example into valuable historical documents.

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