Diplomatic Gift Armour

[Bungo]

Edit Brian - This interesting discussion was split from the original post on a tsuba that originated here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... hp?p=16261

Armour discussions are very welcome on this forum, especially when we have such a considerable wealth of knowledge shared here

 

 

" crests are Tokugawa ".......... I always thought the kiri is associated with the Hideyoshi Toyotomi clan and or the Kyoto imperial lines.

 

milt the ronin

[John A Stuart]

Hi Milt, How correct you are. The Bakufu used the Kirimon in the Emperors name, on money for example.

The Kirimon was originally an explicitly Imperial Crest, and as such it ranks only behind the Chrysanthemum; while both are usually taken as the dual emblems of the Japanese Throne. What distinguishes the Toyotomi Family Crest from the Emperor’s is the number of buds issuing from the top of the crest. Tradition has it that when there are seven, it is the Imperial Crest; when there are five, it is the Toyotomi Family Crest (which was granted to them by the Emperor); and when there are three or less, the family ranks below that of the Toyotomi.

The Tokugawa Family Crest, “Maru ni mitsu-ba aoi,” was the three leaves of the hollyhock.

I revise my opinion in that this tsuba may only honour the Imperial line.

You can see the Kirimon on the Koban issued by the Bakufu and controlled by the Tokugawa.

[Mike]

Hi, I am also leaning towards Saotome, have few with similar design an iron feel. The kamon maybe later addition. Mike

[IanB]

John,

You are correct about the kirimon and chrysanthemum and yes there is a portrait scroll in the Memorial Museum, Nagoya showing Hideyoshi wearing an armour decorated with the 5-7-5 kirimon. However there is also a sword stand in Tokugawa Art Museum, Nagoya with the same kirimon and the aoimon of the Tokugawa family that is supposed to have been Ieyasu's.

 

There is also another intriguing little mystery about Hideyoshi's use of the kirimon. In the tensho mission to Europe of 1582, some gifts to Philip II of Spain were sent by Hideyoshi, including one of the famous kagamusha armours, another of which is in the Tokugawa Art Museum. Both of these are decorated with the same 5-7-5 kirimon. On Philip II's death his son, Philip III, sold two armours to Rudolph of Bohemia. These appear in an inventory of 1607 of Prague Castle. Now the intriguing thing is why was Hideyoshi sending gifts whilst he was a vassal of Nobunaga (and was busy in Honshu and didn't attack Kyushu, where the trip was planned, until 1587) and why was he using the kirimon two years before it was granted to him by the emperor? Bit of a mystery here.

 

Ian

[John A Stuart]

Hi Ian, Where did you get this information that it was Hideyoshi's armour? I have some feelers out about this and need references. Thanks, John

[IanB]

John,

The diplomatic gift armours to Europe is a topic I've been researching on and off for 15 or 20 years. In total about 16 armours were brought or sent to Europe during the late 16th and early 17th century (I'm still uncertain about 1 that was in the armoury of the Duke of Piedmont and Savoy in the 19th century).

 

The two armours sold to Rudolph II of Bohemia by Philip III of Spain was moved to Brussels in the late 17th century and then to Schloss Ambras in Austria in the 19th century where they still are. The Hideyoshi armour is one of the series Hideyoshi had made for his kagamusha - laced in red white and blue with kirimon on the gessan and elsewhere. Since it was in Prague in 1607 it must have entered Europe with the Tensho mission to Spain. There is a picture of it in Kunsthistorisches Museum 1981, Sammlungen Schloss Ambras, Die Rustkammer plate 31, 1982, Vienna. There are also other Toyotomi armours in Paris, two of which were given to Moritz of Nassau in 1611 (Nachod 1897, Dei Beziehungen der Niederlandischen Ostindischen Kompanie zu Japan im seibzehnten Jarhundert, Leipzig) and one appears in a painting in the Hague. This has both kikumon and kirimon on the fukigayeshi.

 

Ian

[John A Stuart]

Hi Ian, Thanks for the reply. Being only somewhat familiar with the Tehsho mission to the Pope, I found it interesting that you attribute this as the source of the armours (yoroi). Although the mission must of had tacit approval of Nobunaga, who was assasinated before it's return in 1590, I find no Toyotomi influence in it until the return.

Following the pioneering work of Francis Xavier in establishing Christianity in Japan, in early 1581, Alessandro Valignano decided to send a legation to Europe representing the three Christian daimyo of Kyushu; Otomo Sorin, Omura Sumitada and Harima Harunobu. The purpose of this mission was twofold. It would give Europeans the chance of seeing Japanese people at first hand and appreciating their culture; in this way the expedition would publicize the work of the Japanese Church and increase financial aid from Europe. Conversely, on their return to Japan the envoys would give to their fellow countrymen eyewitness reports on the splendours of Renaissance Europe, thus broadening the Japanese view of the outside world and moderating existing notions about foreign barbarians. It might benefit the impoverished Japanese mission financially and thus promote its expansion. Two Christian samurai boys were chosen as legates together with two teenage companions, and they sailed from Nagasaki in February 1582. After a journey lasting more than two years, the foursome reached Europe and began travelling through Portugal, Spain and Italy. They met King Philip II and his family several times, and in Rome were befriended by the elderly Pope Gregory XIII and his successor Sixtus V.

I'm not sure if this mission can be attributed as the source of Hideyoshi's kagamusha armour, if indeed it is that. Apparently a few families were using kirimon variations and there were many ways armour could have made it way to Phillip II before 1607. Not trying to argue, Ian, just discussing the facts. John

[IanB]

John,

I wonder if this is the place to discuss this topic since it is really about armour and not swords - but what the heck. Yes, the armours, five of them to my reckoning, were a gift to Philip II. Two of them he kept in his treasure house and I have a photocopy of the order to move them to the Real Armeria on his death. In that it states they were put with the other 'Chinese' armours in a cupboard (or alcove). You say that there were opportunities for armours to travel to Europe prior to this - I'm not sure. I know about the gift from Arima to the young king of Portugal and of an armour and a naginata to the governor of Goa (both mentioned by Boxer) but I can find no other. Oda did send the pope a screen but there is no record he sent anyone a gift of swords or armour.

 

Coupled with the Tensho gift of 5 armours (and I think swords and harness) was the Keicho mission by Hasekura Rokuemon Tsunenaga when another 5 armours landed in Spain (and where the mayor of Saville was given a daisho) Of these 2 went to Prague, 2 to Copenhagen and 3 to the Duke of Infantado at Guadalajara. The remaining 3 were burnt in a fire in Madrid in the 1800's. There were 3 given to the Dutch, 2 to James I of England and 2 to France. John Saris who negociated the trading treaty for England was given an armour by Matsuura Hoin and Cox was given one by Tokugawa Hidetada. Both these last two are missing as is a Dutch one. There was one in Turin (given I think by Hasekura) in the late 19th century but it now seems missing. That's the lot.

 

The Royal Armouries have 3 (the two James armours and one from Guadalajara). The latter I have just proved to have been Takeda Katsuyori's. Almost all in fact battlefield recoveries, not specially made as has been supposed.

 

Ian

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

The two armours sold to Rudolph II of Bohemia by Philip III of Spain was moved to Brussels in the late 17th century and then to Schloss Ambras in Austria in the 19th century where they still are.

 

 

And are here :D :

 

[John A Stuart]

Hi, Yes, the screen is mentioned and can be directly traced to this mission of boys. A picture of Azuchijo by Lake Biwa it was given to Fr. Valignano by Nobunaga. It may have been painted by Kano Eitoku. I am still trying to find sources for what was exchanged by the boys and Phillip. John

[myochin]

Dear Ian,

 

Has anything been published on the "Guadalajara" suit of armour that belonged to Takeda Katsuyori. Can you show us a picture ?

 

Many thanks,

Paul.

[John A Stuart]

Finally.

 

Here are some references I found referring to armour received by Phillip II

 

http://shogun.royalarmouries.org/press/biography.asp

 

Japanese Visit Europe

Whilst Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga were making their mark on Honshu, the main island of Japan, trade with the Portuguese had continued unabated in Kyushu. All was not well however with the Europeans in the East. In 1580 an event in Europe caused them considerable consternation. King Philip II of Spain had moved into Lisbon and had taken the vacant throne of Portugal. With Philip in control of the whole Iberian Peninsula there was a very real fear amongst the Portuguese in the East that he would favour the Spanish and allow them to take over control of the Portuguese operations.

In a move to forestall him, four Japanese youths from the Arima, Omura and Otomo families, all baptized Christians, journeyed to Europe in 1582 to demonstrate to the devoutly catholic king how successful the Jesuits had been in spreading the Christian faith in Japan. Hashiba Hideyoshi learned of this expedition and recognized its importance to the maintenance of the silk trade. To this end he sent personal gifts for King Philip II that included weapons and armours, in Japanese eyes the only proper gifts between statesmen.

http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?a ... ristianity

 

Several of the daimio, who had become converted, sent representatives to the pope. They crossed the Pacific Ocean in a Japanese vessel, and landed in Mexico; after traveling through that country, they sailed for Spain, and from there reached Italy. There are now in the museum in Madrid two fine specimens of the suits of armor worn by Japanese samurai in those days. They were given to King Philip II by this embassy.

 

 

In the first paragraph it mentions Hideyoshi's part in this mission. This ios new to me and thanks to Ian for bringing this to my attention. There are a few others chagrined by this as well. John

[IanB]

John,

The first was you quote is from a bit of publicity written by me for an exhibition I curated. The scond refers to the Keicho missio n by Hasekura.

 

Re-reading my previous post I realise I misled slightly. The Takeda Kastuyori armour was one of the two given to King James. It had fallen into such disrepair by the 1970's that it was sent back to Japan where it received a rather drastic refurbishment. The only decently preserved kamon remaining is under the left arm. This is the usual Takeda 4 petalled flower but with ken between the petals. Shingen introduced the kamon for in-house use but the armour is far too slim for him. I have also found a portrait of Katsuyori wearing the same kamon, hence my attribution.

 

The armour I was refering to from Guadalajara (in Spain not Mexico) is one of three sold to the Duke by Philip III. One was lifted by the French in the peninsular wars and was given to a M. Talma, an actor, probably by Napoleon. When Talma died it was sold in a sale of his effects. It then appears in another 19th C. auction in Paris before dropping out of view amongst the armours coming in from Japan. The other two from Guadalajara were bought by Eusebio Zuloaga a keeper at the Real armeria in Madrid. One was sold in Paris in 1838 (and was probably bought by the Duke of Savoy) the second in London and bought by the Royal Armouries as the armour of a Moor of Granada.

 

This is the one we still have - in fact a mogami haramaki of about 1580-90 belonging to the Shimazu family. This we are now researching and finding by x-rays that the steel under the lacquer is not too good and much of it re-used. I have yet to trace a suitable Shimazu as its original owner but Yoshihiro who fought at Seki ga Hara is the best bet so far. Unlike most of the diplomatic armours which are courtly and mostly made by Iwai Yosaemon of Nara, this is a real fighting armour and has the scars to prove it. I will try and post pics asap.

Ian

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

John, are you interested in the italian part of the voyage too ?

As this is not related to armor we can eventually discuss it via e-mail.

There are good italian sources about their visit to the Pope...

[John A Stuart]

Hi Ian, It is the fact that at the time the Kyushu daimyo's diplomatic mission left Nagasaki in 1582 Toyotomi Hideyoshi was still a vassal of Oda Nobunaga that caused concern about whether Hideyoshi would have sent gifts of armour directly to Phillip II. Considering that it was a Jesuit mission to assure Europe Japan was being proselytised apace sanctioned by Nobunaga it was hard to understand the usurpation of the mission by Hideyoshi ostensibly to ensure the silk trade. He was a wily guy though. I am quite curious, too, about the kirimon on the armour. Is there absolutely no doubt that it was personal armour of Hideyoshi or his kagamusha? Amazing that so much remained of their cargo when a lot was lost between Macau and Malacca. How strange that when investigating this, I found reference from an article written by Ian for the Royal Armouries. Full circle there, eh? I'll post anything new I find out, there are feelers in Japan creeping about, I hope. John

[myochin]

Dear Ian,

 

Is this the "Katsuyori" mon you are referring to ?

 

Paul.

 

PS: for those who wish to find out more on this subject of "Diplomatic Gifts", there is a fantastic article written by Ian in the "Arms & Armour" journal, Volume 1 - Number 1, 2004

[John A Stuart]

Hi Ian, This information has caused quite a stir. If this gifting to Phillip was on Hideyoshi's own authority it would show some independant scheming by Hideyoshi, who had always been considered the loyal vassal of Nobunaga and had no independent designs until Nobunaga's assasination. Unless, Hideyoshi was acting as the agent for Nobunaga in this case. As well the armour with kirimon; could it have been ceremonial armour attesting to the sanction of the Imperial court and not a family mon at this time? I don't have access to your article in Arms and Armour but what led to the attribution it was Hideyoshi's armour and not some obtained from another source at Hideyoshi's behest? A few people holding their breath right now. I hope you don't mind my questions but this may change some common conceptions of Hideyoshi's plans at the time. John

[IanB]

All,

Paul, Yes that is the kamon.

John, I fully realise that the timings here raise questions and have said so in the article in the Royal Armouries' Journal. The Tensho mission sailed early in 1582 but I believe was held up somewhat by bad weather. It was probably nearer June or July before they left Japanese waters. Shortly after Nobunaga was killed by Akechi. Hideyoshi was at that time laying siege to a Mori castle and somehow managed to obtain a truce so that he could dash off to avenge Nobunaga - which he did in three days. I can make no definite assertions since I have no access to prime sources.

 

What I do know is the armour in Ambras is exactly the same as the series supposedly made for Hideyoshi. Nagoya (Tokugawa Art Museum)have one and maintain this set of armours was made for branch members of the Tokugawa family. Since we know one of the set was sent to Europe in 1582 I somehow doubt that. Ieyasu was busy dusting up the Takeda at Nagashino in 1582. If it was Tokugawa it would have the aoimon that he adopted in 1566 when he changed his name from Matsudaira.

 

I have also found evidence (in the Date family documents) that it was Ieyasu who sent the armours to Spain with Hasekura and that the whole affair was Tokugawa inspired. On Hasekura's return Date Masamune was roundly castigated by the shogun for sending his vassal into the heart of catholic power. Date wrote back pointing out that the Tokugawa had not only suggested the idea, through their admiral Mukai Shogen, but had funded the building of the ship, written letters to foreign kings and the pope, had provided the armour as gifts and had even sent samurai along as escorts.

 

There is another factor that might be at play with these gifts (not my idea but a collegues). I am fairly sure, and still trying to find obscure kamon to prove it, that all of these armours given by the Tokugawa were captured. Might the kami of the slain enemy remain with the armour? It was after all a very personal possession. If so, giving the armour to a foreigner who would take it the other side of the world might be seen as a way of getting rid of the kami.

 

I still haven't forgotten the pictures but I'm a bit under pressure at the moment. Ian

[John A Stuart]

Hi Ian, Capital, that gives me a good basis to work with. Some of the people with whom I'm discussing this are in Japan and if I receive information from Japanese archives relating to this, I will surely let you know. This is really fun. John

[IanB]

All,

Oops stupid slip - Nagashino was 1575 not 1582 - sorry

Ian

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

All,

Oops stupid slip - Nagashino was 1575 not 1582 - sorry

Ian

 

Don't mind Ian. Once I quoted Sekigahara meaning Nagashino... :lol:

[IanB]

All,

Here at last are the promised images. Note that the Hideyoshi is one of 12 surviving ones - 9 complete and 2 incomplete in Japan and that in Austria. Tokugawa Art Museum insist they are from the effects of Ieyasu whilst Osaka Castle Musuem say they were Hideyoshi's retainers.

The Takeda armour is displayed at the Tower of London and was heavily restored in the 1970's.

The mogami haramaki was sent by Ieyasu to Philip III who sold it to the Duke of Infantado. It was wrongly relaced in the 19th century by the staff at the Tower of London.

 

Ian

[John A Stuart]

Hi Ian, Nice pics. I actually have seen the bottom before. The kirimon are very prominent on the kabuto. I searchedmy files and may have found a pic of the do. Isd this it?

[IanB]

John,

No this is not one of the retainers / kagamusha armours. They are normally red/white/blue laced, but I have a vague memory of seeing one in red/white/brown. The one you show is I think one I borrowed from Osaka for an exhibition. It was a do-maru with a lot of tosei features and featured the kikumon and kirimon. The soft metal rivets had that stylised 3-5-3 kirimon you see so often on tsuba.

Ian

[John A Stuart]

Hi Ian, While reading Carlo's photocopy of Dall'Isola del Giapan I came across a book reference to the Tensho mission. Written in Macau in 1590 it is titled 'De missione legatorum japonensium ad romanum curiam'. If you have access to it there may be further info on the armour there. John

[IanB]

Thanks John

Ian

[John A Stuart]

OK, While corresponding with a Japanese history buff he came upon this in an English language book, no less. Family Crests of Japan.

 

Paulownia crests are used because they are the symbol of good fortune. In ancient China, paulownias were considered to be trees where phoenixes lived. In the Chinese poetry collection, “Anthology of Bai Juyi”, there is a poem in which a phoenix lives in the high branches of a blooming paulownia and sings, “Long live the king!” It is for this reason that paulownia patterns came to be used for the Emperor’s garments, and later as crests at the end of the Kamakura Period.

 

The Imperial Court bestowed the crests to retainers such as Ashikaga Takauji, and later the Ashikagas granted them to vassals who had performed meritorious deeds, such as Oda Nobunaga. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had also been allowed to use paulownia crests, distributed them so often that even people to whom they had not been give started using them. Though Hideyoshi prohibited the use of chrysanthemum and paulownia crests, the ban had little effect and quite a number of daimyō were using these patterns during the Edo Period. Tokugawa Ieyasu was another who was granted the use of this popular crest, but he refused it and used a hollyhock design instead. (p. 50-51)

 

Hideyoshi seems to have had this crest granted to him by Nobunaga, when he had the surname Hashiba. (p. 133)

 

That seems to explain how Toyotomi Hideyoshi may have been using the kirimon before 1582. John

[IanB]

Thanks for that John, it seems like you have solved the problem. It has been a good thread. I'll just throw one other observation into the works.

 

In 1611 Ieyasu gave three armours to the Dutch destined for Maurits van Nassau. One of these is depicted in a painting in 1650 0r 1651 by Jacob van Campan for the Oranjezaal of the Huis ten Bosch in the Hague. In the late 18th century the Dutch collection was captured by the French who moved this armour and another to Paris. They are now in the Musee de l'Armee. This armour has both the kirimon and the kikumon slightly overlapping each other in gold lacquer on the fukigayeshi. Obviously one of Hideyoshi's personal armours, or one he gave to someone, perhaps Ieyasu. There is also another with just the kirimon but with the 8 stars around a larger central star at each end of the peak. This may well be yet another using the kirimon.

 

Ian