All the metal plates on this armor apart from the deflectors, throat guard, inside mask and neck guard (which are all glossy lacquered) are lacquered sabi nuri. The sabi nuri process involves applying layers of urushi lacquer mixed with iron filings or iron oxide powder to a cleaned and prepared surface, curing each layer in a moist environment. This technique creates a matte, antique, rust-like finish.
Helmet, kabuto
Made of 24 plates with a small flange, suji bachi kabuto, at the top a five layered ornament, tehen kanamono, in copper. The curved peak has a holder for a front crest, maedate, the lower part of the holder is missing. The bowl is unsigned, the helmet lining and cord are intact.
The deflectors, fukigaeshi, are black lacquered. (They are loose and not in the photo, but present.)
Neck guard, shikoro: Of four black lacquered plates, laced with blue braid, widely spaced, the lower plate has multicolored and red braid.
Mask, hanbō
The mask is a half mask, hanbō, sabi nuri on the outside and glossy, red lacquer on the inside. It has a throat guard laced the same way as the neck guard on the helmet.
Cuirass, dō
In two parts, nimai dō, hinged on the left-hand side, made up of horizontal plates, seven to the front and nine to the back, all sabi nuri. The only visible lacing is a row of blue braids at the top.
Tassets, kusazuri: Each of five iron plates with blue braid in pairs, the lower plate with one multicolored and one green braid.
Shoulder guards, sode
Relatively small, in each six plates, lacing is blue braid in pairs with multicolored and green on the lower lame.
Arm guards, kote
Iron plates and chain mail mounted on brocade. On the upper arm three rows each of four quadrangular plates, then one row of four rectangular plates, on the elbows are rosette shaped plates, on the lower arm five vertical plates.
Sometimes iron filings are added to the lacquer, and in that case the “rusty” feel is actually rust, as the iron filings oxidize. This armor is quite run-down and rusty for real. Thus, the “rust” of sabi nuri melts into real rust, as we see on the thumbs.
Skirt, haidate
Four rows each with six rectangular plates connected by chainmail, mounted on blue cloth.
Shin guards, suneate
Four long and three shorter vertical, narrow plates on each side. Connected by chain mail, mounted on cloth.