Ii Gashira Tosei Samurai Armour – Red Yoroi, Ii Clan

This samurai armour of the Ii clan (Ii Gashira Tosei) was made in honour of the Ii clan of Tōtōmi Province, a vassal of the Imagawa clan. The Ii yoroi (samurai armour) became better known through Ii Naomasa (井伊 直政, 1561–1602), who took over as head of the family at a young age after the murder of his father, Ii Naochika. The young lord Naomasa served as a taishō (general) under Tokugawa Ieyasu. As a daimyō, he later helped establish the Tokugawa shogunate.

Naomasa served the Tokugawa clan as one of its most trusted and capable daimyō. He and three other daimyō became known as the "Four Guardian Kings" or "Guardians of the Four Directions" for their courage and their achievements. Naomasa also became known for the distinctive armour in which he dressed his troops and which he wore himself. Painted almost entirely in vermilion, it was inspired by the legendary Takeda clan. The aim was to give his soldiers a fierce, striking appearance, and it worked: his troops became known as the "Red Devils", and Naomasa himself was called Akaoni, the "Red Ogre". This armour is fitted with the "tall golden horns" (made of wood) and the brass maedate (helmet crest) that are characteristic of Naomasa.

This samurai armour is handmade by master craftsmen. The armour is identical to the photo and comes with a black lacquered box and a display stand for the armour.

Each armour is pre-fitted for a person between 1.60 m and 1.85 m tall (5 ft 3 in to 6 ft 1 in) of average build. The armour can be adjusted easily.

• Complete, fully wearable armour, size: 180 × 76 × 76 cm (70.9 × 29.9 × 29.9 in)
• The standard-size armour suits people between 160 cm and 185 cm tall of average build.
• High-quality paint, odoshi cotton colours and traditional features.
• 100% handmade by an experienced armour smith.

Armour dimensions and packaging