Domaru Armor with Blue Lacing, Helmet, and Large Shoulder Guards

Dômaru was a type of armor that fastened under the right arm and had a kusazuri skirt of at least seven or eight sections, allowing greater ease of movement. Dômaru armor was made mostly after the Nanbokuchô period (1333-92). This work is composed of alternately arranged black-lacquered leather and iron scales laced with blue cords dyed with dayflowers. The helmet is in the akodanari (melon-shaped) style with 38 ribs and skirt plate edges decorated with gold-plated ornamental rims. The decorative metal fittings are made of gold bronze with designs in openwork on fish-roe ground and in raised-relief engraving in colors. This piece, a complete set with the helmet and large shoulder guards, is a valuable example of classic dômaru armor. It is mentioned in the armor volume of Shûko zesshû (E., Illustrated Catalogues of Antiques), and was in the possession of the Nasu family until recently.

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.