Chest armour
The chest armour, cuirass or do, is the main source of protection for the samurai. This do consists of the front and back plate (clamshell shaped or Hotoke-do) that are hinged together. The do is fastened shut under the right arm. One cannot see the plates of armour, it has a smooth lacquered surface. It resembles more a European cuirass.
The front plate is decorated with a painted dragon (nihon no ryu). Dragons in Japanese culture are wingless and have three claws, unlike their Chinese counterparts. This dragon is a celestial dragon writhing in the clouds of the sky and it’s clutching a divine pearl which has healing powers.
The front plate is decorated with a painted dragon (nihon no ryu). Dragons in Japanese culture are wingless and have three claws, unlike their Chinese counterparts. This dragon is a celestial dragon writhing in the clouds of the sky and it’s clutching a divine pearl which has healing powers.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- E508
- Collection Class
- Arms and armour
- Collection Area Region
- E
- Common Name
- chest armour
- Simple Name
- chest armour
- Production Town
- Hiogo (now Hyogo)
- Production Country
- Japan
- Production Year High
- 1879
