Oyoroi (“great armor”) was used in the early samurai era (800s–1300s), when one-on-one mounted combat was the primary mode of warfare. Since a warrior’s armor became his funeral attire if he was defeated, a great deal of attention was paid to decorative details such as the color of the lacing and the ornamentation of the metal fixtures. For that reason, armor of this type not only is heavy and showy, but often has high aesthetic value. The lacing may incorporate various colors; these are the primary distinguishing elements. This suit has white braided silk lacing with multicolored diagonal accents.

Made in the 1800s at the order of a Hosokawa lord, this suit is a reproduction of the famous set worn by Hosokawa Yoriari, the family’s founder, in the battle of Kyoto (1358). Yoriari’s portrait can be seen in cat. no. 3.