Model of armour (Horyuji treasures)

Model of armour (Horyuji treasures)

A one fifth scale exquisite miniature suit of armor. The scales of the armor are tied together with red cords. The kusazuri hanging from the body is tied with white, light green, purple and dark blue cords, in a shape widening at the bottom modeled after an arrowhead plant leaf, and the sleeves also take this form although upside down. It is considered to be a type of the small furniture made to be offered to temples and shrines, which was done widely at the end of the Heian period.（「New Edition　Grace, Beauty and Inqenuity-Masterpices of the Museum of Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan　Vol.1」2003）