Antique Samurai's Armor Set for Japanese Boy's Day

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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Dolls: Pre 1920: Item # 405027

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Asian Art By Kyoko
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Los Angeles
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Japanese samurai dolls, Yoroi and Kabuto (armor and helmet), swords, nobori and carps banner are all a part of the display used for the Boy's Day in Japan. The quality set like this will give a wonderful, rich flavor as a decoration to your home all year around. There is no Maruhei label label on the box but we are pretty sure that this was made by the Maruhei in Kyoto. The similar set that we had seen had the Maruhei label that indicates the set was made in early Taisho period (1912-1926). We date this set from the Taisho to early Showa period. Kyoto, where this set was made, had been the capital of Japan over one thousand years. The culture that developed there was to serve the best for the imperial court and families. The best silk textiles have been woven in Nishijin Kyoto. The Maruhei store has been making dolls for the Imperial families since the Edo period. Having the dolls made by the Maruhei (Heizo Ooki) was a quite status symbol in early 1900s.

The helmet is lined with silk and sewn with small Sashiko stitches (Photo 2) just as the real Samurai Kabuto from the Edo period had been. Yoroi (body armor) and the shoes are lined with soft leather with small printed patterns. The liner for the arms appears to be hemp (light blue cloth shown in the photo) that is coarsely woven. The metal plates (light weight) are laced with silk and the tassels are also silk. One wood piece is missing from the stand (photo 5). The used a pair of chopstick and it worked just fine. It is the size that fit only your baby prince. It shows well from every angle.

DIMENSIONS: After assembled, 26 inches from the floor to the dragon.
The black box (lacquered wood); 4 1/4 inches W x 11 L x 10 1/2 inches H, fit tight in the outer box (paulownia wood); 18 1/8 inches W x 14 3/8 inches L x 12 3/4 inches H
The tight fitting because the legs of the lacquer box stretch out towards the bottom.