Edo-period Orange-Laced Samurai Suit

For samurai warriors, the functionality of their armor was as vital as its striking beauty—both elements held equal importance. This orange-laced armor is one of the rarest and most stunning complete Edo-period samurai suits ever crafted, designed for a military leader to convey the gravity of his power and warrior spirit at a single glance.

This particularly rare armor, adorned with an imposing tall ornament (sashimono) at the back, is an 18th-century adaptation of the grand samurai suits that gained prominence in the 16th century, a period marked by intense warfare and interclan conflicts. The sashimono, crafted from gilded and lacquered paper, depicts three golden feathers and antlers, symbolizing the warrior's prestige and status. While its striking design ensured visibility from afar, its delicate construction suggests it was not intended for combat. Instead, this armor was likely worn by a samurai overseeing the battlefield or participating in ceremonial processions. That it has survived centuries in such pristine condition with its original boxes is nothing short of extraordinary. 

Every element of this orange silk-laced armor is remarkable. It features a black lacquered iron helmet with a gilded wood crest depicting a mythical monster. The russet iron face mask has a noble expression, a detachable nose and a silver inlaid mustache and goatee. The iron and leather breastplate, wrapped in stenciled leather and gilded copper, complements the large and imposing sashimono. The skirt comprises seven sections of lacquered leather lames trimmed with bear hair. The shoulder guards have bamboo leaf silk fabric on the reverse, while the arm and leg guards are made of black lacquered iron plates and chainmail-lined silk. Additional components include bear fur boots, a commander’s baton and two original leather-wrapped storage boxes.

Embodying the warrior spirit and Japanese prestige in every detail, this suit is truly astonishing. Please see the complete list of exceptional features of this rare suit of armor below.

18th century

On base: 97" high x 51 1/2" wide x 40" deep

This complete suit includes:

Helmet (etchu zunari kabuto): black lacquered iron, with large gilded and lacquered wood zutate in the shape of an adze (chisel head)
Fore Crest (maedate): finely carved wood, decorated with gold leaf, lacquer, crystal and yak hair in the form of a mythical shinigami
Turnbacks (fukigaeshi): small, decorated with stenciled leather
Neck Guard (manju shikoro): rounded form, made of five lames of black lacquered iron kiritsuke kozane (false lamellae)
Face Mask (ryubu men menpo): russet iron with a noble expression, smooth rounded cheeks and chin, elegant detachable nose, silver inlaid mustache and goatee
Breastplate (maru-do): made of a mixture of iron and leather honkozane
Chest Plates (muna-ita, waki-ita, seno-ita): wrapped with stenciled leather and trimed with gilded copper
Standard (sashimono): large and gilded, made of wood, iron, whale, baleen, black lacquer and gold leaf
Skirt (kusazuri): seven sections, each of four lames of lacquered leather honkozane, with the bottom lame of each division trimmed in bear hair
Shoulder guards (sode): seven lames of black lacquered leather kiritsuke kozane, with reverses decorated with bamboo leaf silk fabric
Arm and Leg Guards (shino-gote/suneate): black lacquered iron plate and kuiai gusari weave chainmail, lined with green bamboo leaf silk fabric
Additional components:
Bear Fur Boots
Commander's Baton (saihai)
Two matching leather-wrapped boxes