Page 250 - JAPAN THE SHAPING OFDAIMYO CULTURE 1185-1868

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152 Haramaki armor kuyd mon, the crest of the Hosokawa fam- 153 Tdsei gusoku armor
iron, leather, lacquer, silk, gilt metal ily, a design of one large circle surrounded iron, leather, lacquer, silk, wool,
l
cuirass h. 32.0 (12 /z) by eight smaller circles. The kote (armored shakudd, silver leaf, bear fur,
Momoyama period, late loth century, sleeves), whose gloves are also decorated gold leaf, wood
with later additions with the kuyd mon, as well as the haidate cuirass h. 32.5 (123/4)
Eisei Bunko, Tokyo (protective apron) and suneate (shin Momoyama period, late i6th century
set was
guards), were added when the
An example of haramaki, literally "belly handed down to Hosokawa Tsunatoshi Sendai City Museum,
Miyagi
Prefecture
wrapper" this set of armor was worn by (1643-1714). YS
Hosokawa Yüsai (Fujitaka, 1534-1610). The Important Cultural Property
upper-arm guards are flared in shape, a Tdsei gusoku, literally "modern equip-
type known as hirosode, and are contem- ment," was innovative in materials and
porary with the cuirass. The helmet, also construction. It was first produced during
probably of contemporary date but possi- the latter half of the sixteenth century. Re-
bly a later addition, is of the suji kabuto sponding to the needs of battle techniques
type, constructed from iron plates with that employed large groups of foot sol-
standing ridges. The sword-shaped decora- diers, tdsei gusoku was made to maximize
tive element at the front was originally the potential of the warrior to move easily
flanked right and left by the horn-shaped in battle as well as to give the wearer a dis-
elements of a kuwagata, now missing. The tinctive appearance. Originally owned
base of the kuwagata is marked with the

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