{"id":80760,"date":"2025-12-22T17:05:42","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T08:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?post_type=product&p=80760"},"modified":"2026-04-07T18:55:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T09:55:13","slug":"antique-mid-edo-period-samurai-armor-tokubetsu-kicho-shiryo-certificate-a-58","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/product\/antique-mid-edo-period-samurai-armor-tokubetsu-kicho-shiryo-certificate-a-58\/","title":{"rendered":"Antique Mid Edo Period Samurai Armor Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo<\/span><\/strong> Certificate (A-58)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antique Mid Edo Period\u00a0 Samurai Armor\u00a0 with Tokubetsu Kicho<\/span> Shiryo Certificate (A-58)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Period: Mid<\/strong> Edo Period (1688-1800)\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Appraised by The Association for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmets and Armor on December 7th 2025. We are expecting to receive its certificate in 2-3 months.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kabuto (helmet)<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u25a0Helmet bowl: Suji Kabuto\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The 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\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Among 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\u201316th centuries. Production of suji kabuto flourished during the Muromachi period.\u00a0\u00a0This example is a Nij\u016byonken Suji Kabuto (Twenty-Four Plate Suji Kabuto), made by riveting together 24 individual iron plates to form the helmet bowl, with radiating ridges that combine both beauty and functionality. The use of such a high number of plates created a smoother, more rounded silhouette, showcasing the advanced craftsmanship of armorers of the time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Furthermore, at the very top of the helmet bowl is the tehen-no-ana (\u5929\u8fba\u306e\u7a74, \u201ctop opening\u201d), which in this piece is adorned with an intricate design: a chrysanthemum flower at the center surrounded by an arabesque (karakusa) pattern. In Japanese culture, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of nobility and longevity, famously associated with the Imperial family. The arabesque motif, depicting endlessly extending vines, represents vitality, prosperity, and the flourishing of descendants.\u00a0Originally, the tehen-no-ana was a functional opening through which the warrior\u2019s topknot (mage) would protrude. However, as it provided an easy target for enemy attacks, this practice gradually disappeared around the Kamakura period (1185\u20131333). Thereafter, the opening lost its practical use and instead became a space for elaborate decoration, as seen in this example.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u25a0Shikoro (side neck guard):<\/span>
\n\u00a0Black lacquered plates laced with navy blue threads.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u25a0Fukikaeshi (side neck guard)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The fukikaeshi are the side flaps attached to both sides of a samurai helmet (kabuto). They served a defensive role by helping protect the face from glancing sword strikes, while also providing a prominent surface for heraldic decoration that expressed a warrior\u2019s identity, status, and beliefs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The fukikaeshi of this helmet are adorned with a Tomoe-mon (\u5df4\u7d0b), a traditional Japanese crest characterized by its swirling, comma-shaped design. Among its variations, the most well-known is the Mitsudomoe (\u4e09\u3064\u5df4), composed of three tomoe arranged in a circular, rotating pattern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Tomoe motif has ancient origins in Japan and is strongly associated with Shinto shrines, martial symbolism, and the concept of dynamic energy. Its revolving form is often interpreted as representing movement, balance, and the cyclical forces of nature, such as wind, water, and thunder. Because of these associations, the Tomoe-mon came to symbolize martial power, protection, and spiritual strength, making it especially popular among warriors.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u25a0Menpo (face guard): Ress\u0113men (\u70c8\u52e2\u9762)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0This type of menp\u014d (samurai face guard) is known as a ress\u0113men (\u70c8\u52e2\u9762). The term literally translates as \u201cfierce expression mask,\u201d a name that directly reflects its purpose. Ress\u0113men were designed with exaggerated and aggressive facial features\u2014such as a scowling mouth, pronounced cheekbones, and deeply carved expressions\u2014to present a terrifying appearance on the battlefield.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Beyond their visual impact, ress\u0113men served an important protective function, shielding the lower face from sword cuts and flying debris. At the same time, they played a significant psychological role in warfare. By confronting enemies with an inhuman, almost demonic visage, these masks were intended to unsettle opponents, undermine their morale, and project the wearer\u2019s unwavering resolve and fighting spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u25a0 Maedate (Front Decoration): Kuwagata\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Kuwagata is mounted on this kabuto as a type of maedatemono (\u524d\u7acb\u7269, front ornament), serving to dignify the helmet and enhance its visual authority. This kuwagata features bifurcated tips formed from a single metal plate, resulting in a design that is both restrained and powerful in appearance. Minor scratches and small areas of damage are visible; these are not considered flaws but rather traces of its long history, contributing to the piece\u2019s authentic antique character.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0At the center of the kuwagata is a sword motif, rather than a chrysanthemum crest. In the context of Japanese heraldry, this \u201csword\u201d does not represent the curved, single-edged katana commonly associated with later samurai culture. Instead, it refers to an ancient straight, double-edged sword, a form that predates the katana and was widely revered in early Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0From ancient times, the sword has held profound symbolic meaning in Japanese culture as an emblem of martial virtue, authority, and divine power. One of the most famous examples is the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, one of the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan, which underscores the sword\u2019s role as a sacred object closely tied to rulership and legitimacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Armor<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u25a0 D\u014d (cuirass): Okegawa Nimai D\u014d (\u6876\u5ddd\u4e8c\u679a\u80f4)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Nimai D\u014d (\u4e8c\u679a\u80f4, \u201ctwo-plate cuirass\u201d) is a type of torso armor used in T\u014dsei Gusoku (\u5f53\u4e16\u5177\u8db3), the so-called \u201cmodern armor\u201d that developed during Japan\u2019s Sengoku period (15th\u201316th centuries). The term nimai literally means \u201ctwo plates,\u201d while d\u014d 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0This example belongs to the Okegawa D\u014d (\u6876\u5074\u80f4) 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\u2014typically the left\u2014is 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0On the back of the cuirass is an Agemaki-tsuke no kan, a metal ring used to tie decorative cords known as agemaki. Such fittings are also found on the rear elements of earlier armor types, including \u014d-yoroi, d\u014d-maru, and haramaki. The ring on this cuirass is decorated with a Tomoe crest, matching the ornamental motifs used throughout the armor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0A particularly noteworthy feature of this cuirass is the presence of a small pocket-like attachment. This is a practical detail seen in authentic battlefield armor of the Sengoku period. Such compartments were used to carry essential items such as flint, medicine, or protective talismans. This functional addition highlights that T\u014dsei Gusoku was not merely ceremonial armor, but equipment designed with real combat conditions in mind, reflecting the realities of warfare during Japan\u2019s age of constant conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u25a0Kusazuri (skirt of plates attached to the cuirass):<\/span>
\n\u00a0 Lacquered iron Kusazuri laced with navy blue threads.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Small parts<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u25a0Kote (armored sleeves):<\/span>
\nIntricately crafted with iron chain mail interwoven with silk. At the center of the back of the hand, a Tomoe-mon (\u5df4\u7d0b) is prominently featured. The tomoe motif, characterized by its swirling, comma-shaped form, has deep roots in Japanese tradition and is closely associated with martial strength and spiritual protection. Its dynamic design was favored by warriors as a symbol of power, movement, and resilience.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u25a0Suneate (shin guard):<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Kikkou (\u4e80\u7532, turtle\u2019s shell) pattern is used for the cloth of the Suneate (\u811b\u5f53). 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 (\u98db\u9ce5, 592-710) and Nara (\u5948\u826f, 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. <\/span>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.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
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Certification<\/span><\/strong>: Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo Certificate<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0On December 7th 2025, 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<\/span><\/a> (\u65e5\u672c\u7532\u5191\u6b66\u5177\u7814\u7a76\u4fdd\u5b58\u4f1a).\u00a0 Tokubestu Kicho Shiryo (\u7279\u5225\u8cb4\u91cd\u8cc7\u6599) means special rare article. It is\u00a0<\/span> ranked as the third highest of five rankings.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

*We are expecting to receive its certificate in 2-3 months<\/em><\/p>\n

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An English translation of the certificate is available on request. We won\u2019t charge any additional fee.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\n

\u3010About us\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u00a0Samurai 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. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u3010Antique Japanese Armor and Export process\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0After 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\u00a0<\/strong>to receive this permit. And we would like you to expect at least 1-1.5 months<\/strong> for your order to arrive at your given address after you ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3010Payment method\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0We accept payment through Stripe<\/strong> (Credit card), PayPal<\/strong>, Apple Pay or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. Also, you don\u2019t 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<\/strong>, USD<\/strong>, AUD<\/strong>, CAD<\/strong>, EUR<\/strong>, CHF<\/strong> or GBP<\/strong>. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u3010Shipping duration\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0We 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. <\/span>We offer\u00a0Free International Shipping<\/strong><\/span> as long as we can ship your order by EMS. If you prefer other shipping carriers, please contact us. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0We will inform you of the order\u2019s tracking number via email. Please make sure you fill out your valid email address correctly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u3010How to make sure the condition\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0Please 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3010How To Contact Us\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\nPlease contact us through email, Facebook Messenger or Live Chat if you have any questions. You can find each icon on the right side of the website. Please click one of them to reach us. We will reply to you within 1-2 business days.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3010How To Preserve Antique Samurai Armor\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\nDryness, humidity, and bad ventilation might deteriorate the condition of antique Samurai armor. The best temperature to preserve Samurai armor is around 20\u2103 in Celsius, and humidity should be about 60%.\u00a0 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\u00a0 from the armor by using a soft brush made of delicate cloth or brush for painting.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you like to know more about the preservation of this armor, please feel free to<\/span> contact us<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Included:<\/strong> <\/span>
\nTokubetsu Kicho Shiryo Certificate, Samurai Armor,\u00a0 Storage Box, Display Stand, Full Exportation Support<\/span><\/p>\n

Delivery Date:<\/strong><\/span>
\n1.0-1.5<\/strong> month after you place an order<\/span>
\n*There might be delay in shipment depending on countries<\/span><\/p>\n

Size:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Vertical<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nWidth<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nHeight<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
43 cm<\/span><\/td>\n56 cm<\/span><\/td>\n147 cm<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*The size refers to when you display the armor on the box*1 inch=2.54cm<\/span><\/p>\n

More photos\uff06 videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":80761,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[21,17],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-80760","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-real-armor","7":"product_cat-armor","9":"first","10":"outofstock","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple","14":"add-to-wishlist-after_add_to_cart","15":"customify-col","16":"product-has-gallery"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/80760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=80760"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=80760"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=80760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}