Late Edo Period (19th c.)／Iron, silk, leather, reed, lacquer, copper
SUMMARY
This o-yoroi (“great armor”) is said to have been worn by Shimazu Nariakira, lord of Satsuma Domain at the end of the Edo period. It is quite valuable, as it is complete, with each part from the time of its creation present. The bowl of the helmet reuses an old Kamakura period piece. The decorative metal fittings attached here and there are of extravagant workmanship, so intricate as to be unlike any other. In addition to the leather tsurubashiri (meant to protect the armor against snagging on bowstrings) on the front of the armor with its lion and peony pattern, as well as the maki-e on the armored sleeves, the three layers of white, light green, and navy blue lacing give the entire suit an elegant style, adding grace and lightness to its majesty and solemnity.
ARTIST
Worn by Shimazu Nariakira
1809-1858
Lord of Satsuma Domain in the late Edo period. Son of Narioki. A person of positive and enlightened thought, he put his efforts toward policies for encouraging new industries in the clan, and strived for clan reform by working on the construction of Western-style sailing ships, steamships, and reverberatory furnaces, as well as the arms manufacturing industry. Though his political views were highly appreciated by the Edo shogunate, he would meet frustration as he was caught up in the Shogunal Succession Dispute.
List of artworks by the same artist
INFORMATION
Friday, October 8 - Sunday, November 14, 2021
From the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Collection: “THIS IS JAPAN” Eternal Japanese Art Oita Art Museum (Oita, Japan)
Sunday, August 25 - Sunday, September 29, 2019
This Is Japan In Kyoto From The Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Collection The Museum of Kyoto (Kyoto, Japan)
Saturday, January 21 - Sunday, March 5, 2017
Treasures of Shimazu : Fascination of Cultural Property and Local Museum Miyakonojyo Shimazu Residenfce (Miyazaki, Japan)
Thursday, June 19 - Sunday, August 24, 2008
Eternal Treasures of Japan: The Art of the Samurai National Museum of the Cultural Complex of the Republic (Brasilia, Brazil)
Wednesday, November 3 - Sunday, November 28, 2004
Treasures of Japanese Art Exhibition Kagawa History Museum (Kagawa, Japan)
Friday, May 1 - Tuesday, June 30, 1998
Treasures of Japanese Arts and Crafts—400 Years of Japanese Art from the Momoyama Period to Modernity National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Taipei, Taiwan)
Friday, February 10 - Sunday, April 16, 1995
Treasures of Japanese Art: Edo Period 1615-1868 La Pedrera / The House Mila (Barcelona, Spain)
Friday, September 23 - Sunday, January 22, 1995
Treasures of Japanese Art: Edo Period 1615-1868 Juan March Foundation (Madrid, Spain)
Saturday, May 28 - Monday, July 18, 1994
Treasures of Japanese Art: The World of the Samurai Medici Museum, Medici-Riccardi Palace (Florence, Italy)
Sunday, January 26 - Sunday, March 22, 1992
Treasures of Japanese Art from the TFAM Collection Kunstlerhaus (Vienna, Austria)
Thursday, February 22 - Sunday, April 1, 1990
Treasures of Japanese Art from the TFAM Collection Sao Paulo Art Museum (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
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