Constructed chiefly from lacquered metal plates, the armored components of this set are chiefly finished in a red and gold lacquer, with solid black on some of the secondary plates and a mixture of deep blue and black cord securing the individual plates. The helmet is fitted with a three teired neck guard, with a small four-lobed crest on the front and a heavy silk lined chinstrap. Suspended from the helmet is a menpo-pattern faceguard, which protects the cheeks and chin, with brass ornamental teeth on the "lower jaw" and a small hair patch just above the chin. The rear plate is equipped with hardware for mounting a sashimono banner, with a fixed socket at the bottom and a swiveling holder between the shoulder blades, and a set of thigh guards constructed from 5 steel lames each, 3 in the front and four in the rear. Sleeves are light blue cloth with a white floral pattern protected with 6 hanging steel lames at the shoulder and upper arm, a set of 5 metal panels forming a disc set onto chain mail at the elbow, 5 straight bar panels backed by chain on the forearm, and a two piece palm and knuckle protector at the bottom. Pants are yellow cloth, with additional scale protector for the thighs and a combination chain and metal splint shinguard. Included with the set are a pair of brown leather sandals, blue toe socks, a red silk sash, and a small knife, 13 inches overall with an 8 1/4 inch blade and sheath. Provenance: The William Ashby Collection