AN O-YOROI WITH TOYOTOMI FAMILY CRESTSThe helmet by Myochin Munenao, signed Myochin Munenao with kakihanJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Constructed of honkozane lacquered gold and laced in orange and red, white omodaka odoshi style, the component parts decorated with elaborate stenciled doe skin, mounted with elaborate gilt-copper hardware adorned with butterflies, chrysanthemum, and kirimon (paulownia crests). Comprising a russet-iron twelve-plate o-boshi kabuto dressed in gilt-copper karajiho and shinodare running down from a large gilt-copper two-stage tehen kanamono, fitted with a wide five-lame o-manju shikoro with broad Heian-style fukigaeshi with silk cord highlights, the mabizashi similarly decorated and applied with a bold gilt-copper shishi kuwagatadai supporting long classical kuwagata, the bowl signed on a gilt plate on the exterior back MYOCHIN MUNENAO with a kakihan; the cuirass is o-yoroi style do open at the right side and with a waidate plate, four broad sections of five-lame kusazuri separated at the front and back in typical yoroi style; kyubi no ita; osode; namazugote with shakudo and gilt-copper plates, the chain mail lacquered black.Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and few typical losses. Provenance: From a Czech private collection.With a storage box.The kirimon or Paulownia Seal originally was the private symbol of the Japanese Imperial Family, from as early as the sixteenth century. The Toyotomi clan, led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, later adopted the Paulownia Seal for use as the crest of his clan.Auction comparison: Compare a related o-yoroi with Shimazu family crest at Christie’s, 23 March 2000, New York, lot 108 (sold for USD 46,000).