Japanese Daimyo period armour expected to sell for $90,000

 

A set of Japanese armour from the Daimyo period will be sold at Bonhams New York on March 16.

It will star in a sale of Japanese art, with a valuation of $70,000-90,000.

Japan armour Bonhams
The armour is one of few battle used suits from the Daimyo period to come to auction

The armour in question originally belonged to Yamaguchi Hirokuni (1808-1869), Lord of Ushiki Castle in Hitachi in Japan's northern Kanto region.

It's one of very few full suits from the Daimyo era (Japan's feudal state period) ever to come to auction. Most are housed in institutions, where they are highly prized and rarely sold.

The lot was once in the collection of Major General Takimoto Hidemaro (1862-1962) - an important figure in the Imperial Army during the second world war.

It's accompanied by a scroll by the major indicating its provenance. He reportedly bought it from an elderly antiques dealer in the Kawanakajima river region.

A rare Nanshoku (male on male) Shunga hand scroll from the Edo period (1615-1868) is expected to make $35,000-45,000.

While homosexuality was much more accepted in Japanese culture than elsewhere at the time, this remains one of very few ukiyo-e images depicting gay scenes.

The artist was Miyazawa Chosun, considered by many experts as a forgotten master of the form.

The sale takes place during New York's Asian art week events, which will include sales of Himalayan bronzes and paintings.

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