Armor (Yoroi) of Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358) early–mid-14th century Japanese This is a rare example of a medieval yoroi. The yoroi is characterized by a cuirass that wraps around the body and is closed by a separate panel (waidate) on the right side and by a deep four-sided skirt. In use from around the tenth to the fourteenth century, yoroi were generally worn by warriors on , this armor was laced in white silk and had diagonal bands of multicolored lacings at the edges of the skirt and the sode (shoulder guards, missing here). The colored lacings symbolized the rainbow,


Armor (Yoroi) of Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358) early–mid-14th century Japanese This is a rare example of a medieval yoroi. The yoroi is characterized by a cuirass that wraps around the body and is closed by a separate panel (waidate) on the right side and by a deep four-sided skirt. In use from around the tenth to the fourteenth century, yoroi were generally worn by warriors on , this armor was laced in white silk and had diagonal bands of multicolored lacings at the edges of the skirt and the sode (shoulder guards, missing here). The colored lacings symbolized the rainbow, which represented both good fortune and fleeting beauty. The breastplate is covered with stenciled leather bearing the image of the powerful Buddhist deity Fud? My?-?, whose fierce mien and attributes of calmness and inner strength were highly prized by the samurai. The helmet, long associated with this armor, dates from the middle of the fourteenth , it is believed that this yoroi was donated to the Shinomura Hachimang? , a shrine near Kyoto, by Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358), founder of the Ashikaga shogunate. Listen to experts illuminate this artwork's story Listen Play or pause #4436. Armor (Yoroi), Part 1 Play or pause #4482. Armor (Yoroi), Part 2 Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. We are working to make it available as soon as Armor (Yoroi) of Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358). Japanese. early–mid-14th century. Iron, leather, lacquer, silk, copper, gold, pigments. Armor for Man


Size: 2877px × 4000px
Photo credit: © MET/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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