A FINE MINIATURE SUIT OF ARMOR FOR THE TANGO NO SEKKU FESTIVALJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Constructed in the same manner as a full-sized armor with the components laced in predominantly orange silk and mounted with silver hardware superbly carved and finely incised with shishi and peony. Comprising a twenty-four plate russet-iron za-boshi kaburo with a partly gilt three-tiered chrysanthemum-form tehen kanamono, the mabizashi and fukigaeshi with applied and finely patterned textile, the gilt maedate in the form of a kenkatabami mon (wood sorrel and ken sword crest), repeated on the shikoro-lame below the fukigaeshi, further with a five-lame shikoro; a russet-iron menpo with horsehair mustache and gilt teeth as well as two sets of two-lame yodarekake; the do (cuirass) fitted with four sections of five-lame kusazuri; two kote of elaborate silk brocade with sukari; kyubi no ita and sendan no ita; two o-sode; two kawara haidate; russet-iron suneate with applied silver butterflies and gilt kenkatabami mon; and a pair of kegutsu.HEIGHT 77 cm (total, mounted on box and stand)Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and few minor dents.The wood storage box supported on six tall black-lacquered legs, all with elaborately chased metal fittings with floral and foliate designs.During the 17th century, samurai families used to display a set of helmet and armor, weapons and banners outdoors on the Tango-no-Sekku Festival (The Boy’s Festival), held on the fifth day of the fifth month, designated as an important ceremonial day by the Edo Shogunate Government. Later in the Edo period, these items, except for the banners, were moved indoors and displayed in rooms facing the street. The armors gradually became miniaturized, thus keeping splendid decorations on, as such armors and helmets were also to display the prosperity of their household.