Minneapolis Institute of Art

Red-lacquered two-plate cuirass armor with Daruma decoration

Japan

Date

17th century

Medium

Lacquered iron, boar's fur, horsehair

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Because of its striking red color, this armor belongs to a style that is referred to as akazonae (“red arms”). The cuirass (dō), or breastplate, is constructed in two parts and is finished to a smooth surface, evoking the belly of a sculpted Buddha. At its center, front and back, are paintings in black lacquer representing the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma (Daruma in Japanese). Elements throughout this armor are finished in a special type of lacquer decoration called byakudan-nuri, which creates a translucent amber-like depth that reveals gold beneath the surface. Asia

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