If the Samurai’s sword was his soul, his armor was his personality. If you are an ardent collector of samurai art, Toraba is the just right place for you to visit. The site offers fascinating historical works of art. This month, they are going to launch the new homepage, which promises to be the most innovative, user friendly and comprehensive homepage on the internet catering to discerning collectors of quality items of samurai art. Anyway, they are offering a range of armor collection, including full armor sets (Gusoku), samurai helmets (Kabuto), facial armor (Mengu), body armor (Dou), Sonohoka, and Gendai. The new listings on the site are a named and dated Tokugawa hon-kei family armor that features a amazing Nambokucho period kabuto bachi circa 14th century, amazing and unique kawari kabuto, 84 plate tetsu-sabiji suji kabuto signed by Haruta Yoshihisa, documented kabuto bachi produced by Myochin Nobuiye dated 1509, and fabulous Shikaminari kawari kabuto. This is just the start. There is a range of other armor sets, kabuto helmets and various items of related items of equipment and regalia.

Japanese armor is truly the all encompassing canvas of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Once commissioned, an armor set generally took more than two years to complete, the fabrication of which represented literally thousands of man hours, by dozens of varied and specialized artisans, who like their patrons were masters of their craft, representing only the most talented in their various trades, producing items renowned for their precision workmanship, exceptional beauty and purity of function.

Check out the picture gallery below to have a look at the superb selection of finest quality original period masterpieces from Toraba.

Antique Japanese armor Picture Gallery