Tokugawa Yoshinobu Samurai Armor — Late Edo Ceremonial, Full Life-Size Set

Tokugawa Yoshinobu was the fifteenth shōgun and the last. He took the office in 1866, held it for a year, and in 1867 returned governing authority to the Emperor rather than fight a civil war he calculated he would lose. The samurai class was abolished within a decade.

He then lived another forty-six years. He took up photography, cycling, and oil painting, and died in 1913 having outlived the entire world he was born into by half a century.

Armor from the closing years of the shogunate is a different object from the Sengoku sets. By this period it was ceremonial almost entirely — worn for audiences and processions, made to be looked at rather than fought in, and finished accordingly. This set follows that late Edo character: restrained plate, dense lacing, and ornament concentrated at the helmet.

If the Sengoku armors on this site are about a country at war, this one is about the moment it stopped.

What you receive

• Kabuto with maedate crest and laced shikoro
• Menpō face mask, red lacquered interior
• Dō (cuirass) with kusazuri skirt panels
• Sode, kote, haidate and suneate
• Black lacquered storage box that doubles as a display stand

Materials and construction

• Primary materials: iron and microfiber components
• Construction: semi-handcrafted with machine-assisted production
• Approximate set weight: 22–23 kg (48.5–50.7 lb)

Fit

• Size: one size
• Recommended wearer height: 175–180 cm (5 ft 9 in–5 ft 11 in)
• Recommended wearer weight: 60–80 kg (132–176 lb)

Fit can vary with body shape and armor adjustment. Please contact us before purchasing if you fall outside this range.

Display and wear

Designed for full-size display and adult wear for ceremonies, cultural events, cosplay, photography, and other respectful non-contact use. This product is not certified protective equipment and is not intended for combat.

Availability and lead time

In-stock and made-to-order options are available depending on the model. Please contact us before purchasing to confirm current availability and the estimated lead time.