Antique Mid Edo Period Samurai Armor with Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo Certificate (A-61)
Period: Mid Edo Period (1688-1800)
appraised by The Association for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmets and Armor on March 15th 2026.
We are expecting to receive its certificate in 2-3 months.
Kabuto (helmet)
■Helmet bowl: Suji Kabuto
The kabuto (helmet) served as essential head protection for the samurai. While early helmets were designed primarily for practical use, over time they came to express the warrior’s dignity, individuality, and even religious beliefs. From the late Muromachi period to the Edo period, more decorative helmets known as kawari kabuto (unusual or exotic helmets) appeared, often adorned with materials such as animal fur, seashells, plants, or paper.
Among the more practical designs, the suji kabuto (ridged helmet) became highly valued. Its bowl was constructed with raised ridges designed to deflect the strikes of swords, reducing their impact. This innovation also contributed to weight reduction, meeting the demands of changing battle tactics in the 14th–16th centuries. Production of suji kabuto flourished during the Muromachi period. This example is a Jyū Rokken Suji Kabuto (十六間筋兜, Sixteen Plate Suji Kabuto), made by riveting together 16 individual iron plates to form the helmet bowl, with radiating ridges that combine both beauty and functionality. The surface of its metal is painted with black lacquer.
■Shikoro (side neck guard):
Black lacquered plates laced with light green threads.
■Fukikaeshi (side neck guard)
The fukikaeshi are the side flaps attached to both ends of a samurai helmet (kabuto). They served a defensive function by protecting the face from sword strikes, while also providing space for decorative designs that indicated the warrior’s status or affiliation. In this example, the fukikaeshi are finished in the same tetsusabi-iro urushi-nuri (iron-rust-colored lacquer coating) as the helmet bowl. Unlike many helmets that feature family crests or ornate embellishments, these are left plain, giving them a rugged and austere appearance. This simplicity emphasizes a sense of strength and conveys the impression of practical, battlefield-oriented armor.
■Menpo (face guard): Ressēmen (烈勢面)
This type of menpō (face guard) is called a ressēmen (烈勢面). The name literally means “fierce expression mask.” As the term suggests, it was crafted to give the wearer a fearsome look on the battlefield. Such masks not only provided protection for the face but also served a psychological purpose—intimidating opponents and expressing the warrior’s spirit.
■ Maedate (Front decoration): Hinomaru Ōgi (日の丸扇)
This kabuto is fitted with a maedatemono (前立物, front ornament), a decorative and symbolic element traditionally attached to the front of a samurai helmet to enhance its dignity and visual identity.
The design of this maedatemono takes the form of a fan (ōgi, 扇), a motif long favored as an auspicious symbol of growth and prosperity. During the Heian period (794–1185/1192), fans were enjoyed by the aristocracy and regarded as refined, noble objects. Their distinctive spreading shape is known as suehirogari (末広がり), symbolizing a bright and expanding future.
On this particular piece, the fan bears the Hinomaru Ōgi (sun-disc fan), a crest associated with the Satake clan, lords of the Kubota Domain in Dewa Province. According to the Azuma Kagami, a historical chronicle of the Kamakura period, the origin of the Satake clan’s fan crest can be traced to an episode in which they entered battle under a white banner (the Genji white flag). It is said that Minamoto no Yoritomo granted them permission to depict a round emblem—originally a moon-disc fan—on their banner, which later developed into their distinctive family crest.
In addition, a turtle ornament is attached to the tehen (天辺), the opening at the top of the kabuto (also called tehen-no-ana). The shell of this turtle is adorned with green hair-like fibers, representing a Minogame (蓑亀), also known as a “long-tailed turtle.” This type of turtle has long been treasured in Japan as an auspicious symbol. Often depicted alongside cranes in traditional art, it represents longevity and good fortune, especially in celebrations wishing for a long and prosperous life.
Armor
■Dō (cuirass): Okegawa Nimai Dō (桶川二枚胴)
The Nimai Dō (二枚胴, “two-plate cuirass”) is a type of torso armor used in Tōsei Gusoku (当世具足), the so-called “modern armor” that developed during Japan’s Sengoku period (15th–16th centuries). The term nimai literally means “two plates,” while dō refers to the torso, indicating a cuirass constructed from two large iron sections. Compared to earlier medieval armors made primarily from numerous small lamellar scales (kozane), this design employed larger iron plates, greatly improving both protection and battlefield practicality.
This example belongs to the Okegawa Dō (桶側胴) type. The name okegawa derives from its resemblance to the vertical wooden staves of a tub (oke). The cuirass is divided vertically into two halves; one side—typically the left—is fitted with a hinge, while the opposite side is secured with cords or metal fastenings. This structure allowed the armor to be donned and removed efficiently while maintaining a rigid and durable form. The cuirass is made of black-lacquered iron plates and laced with deep navy-blue silk cord, creating a restrained yet authoritative appearance.
On the back of the cuirass is a ukezutsu (受筒), also known as sashizutsu (指筒), a tubular fitting made of metal or wood. This component was used to hold a sashimono—such as a small flag, banner, or personal standard—commonly worn by samurai from the Sengoku period onward. It was designed to secure the standard firmly in place, allowing it to be displayed clearly on the battlefield for identification and command purposes.
■Kusazuri (skirt of plates attached to the cuirass):
Lacquered iron Kusazuri laced with green threads.
Small parts
■Kote (armored sleeves):
Intricately crafted with iron chain mail interwoven with silk.
■Haidate (thigh protection):
The haidate is a type of thigh guard, consisting of cloth backing reinforced with chain mail and iron plates.
■Suneate (shin guard):
The Kikkou (亀甲, turtle’s shell) pattern is used for the cloth of the Suneate (脛当). It is a continuous geometric pattern connecting regular hexagons up and down. A theory says that this design was brought from China and the Korean Peninsula during the Asuka (飛鳥, 592-710) and Nara (奈良, 710-794) periods. A proverb says turtles live long lives; therefore, turtle and turtle shell patterns represent longevity. In addition, as this continuous hexagonal pattern does not get out of its shape, it is said people wished for eternal prosperity by using this design. This Suneate is a type called Kusari sunete (chain armor shin guard). It features chains attached to fabric, with minimal gaps between the metal links.
■Kacchu Hitsu (armor box)
Certification: Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo Certificate
On March 15th 2026, this armor was appraised as a Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo by The Association for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmets and Armor, which is the most trusted Japanese armor appraiser in Japan. This association is also known as Nihon Katchu Bugu Kenkyu Hozonkai (日本甲冑武具研究保存会). Tokubestu Kicho Shiryo (特別貴重資料) means special rare article. It is ranked as the third highest of five rankings.
*We are expecting to receive its certificate in 2-3 months
An English translation of the certificate is available on request. We won’t charge any additional fee.
【About us】
Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on.
【Antique Japanese Armor and Export process】
After receiving the full payment from you, we will apply for its export permit from the agency for Cultural Affairs to legally export the antique Samurai armor to other countries. It normally takes around 2-4 weeks to receive this permit. And we would like you to expect at least 1-1.5 months for your order to arrive at your given address after you ordered.
【Payment method】
We accept payment through Stripe (Credit card), PayPal, Apple Pay or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. Also, you don’t need to make an account on Stripe for the checkout. If you prefer other payment method, please contact us. You may either pay in JPY, USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, CHF or GBP. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate.
【Shipping duration】
We normally ship via EMS (Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. It usually takes at least 5-14 days to deliver the package after you place an order. We offer Free International Shipping as long as we can ship your order by EMS. If you prefer other shipping carriers, please contact us.
We will inform you of the order’s tracking number via email. Please make sure you fill out your valid email address correctly.
【How to make sure the condition】
Please keep in mind that what you are going to purchase is an antique item. We uploaded high resolution photos for you to check its condition thoroughly. If you like to see more photos with different angles, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to send them to you so that you can make informed decision. It is essential for us to know that you are happy with your choice of a sword. and we are prepared to use the best of our ability to serve you.
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【How To Preserve Antique Samurai Armor】
Dryness, humidity, and bad ventilation might deteriorate the condition of antique Samurai armor. The best temperature to preserve Samurai armor is around 20℃ in Celsius, and humidity should be about 60%. Direct sunlight should be avoided. We recommend storing armors in a room with good ventilation. If you like to display them outside the boxes for a prolonged time, we suggest using a glass case in order for dust not to be accumulated easily. In case you don’t use a glass case, please make sure to regularly dust off from the armor by using a soft brush made of delicate cloth or brush for painting.
If you like to know more about the preservation of this armor, please feel free to contact us.
