Trunk

Rectangular armor box (gusoku bitsu) of black-lacquered wood for samurai armor. The two longer opposing sides have black iron reinforcing strips with metal handles which, when positioned upright, could be used to suspend the box from a wooden rod for carrying. Two gold crests are painted on both of the longer sides. To the left of the handles is the family crest (mon) of a paulownia flower in a 5-7-5 formation (number of leaves sprouting upward) known as Goshichigokiri (五七桐). This was used by the Toyotomi clan and adopted by the government of Japan after the Meiji restoration (1868) as its offical seal. To the right of the handles is an elaborate cross-shaped flower, probably a quince, within a circle of what appear to be gentian blossoms. This is most likely an elaborate Mokko (木瓜) mon (family crest) for the Oda clan. The shorter sides of the box both display the same crest of the quince flower. The removable lid is covered with black leather. The top of the lid, as well as all four sides, are stamped with the same gold crests that appear on the rest of the box. One side of the lid has a hook hanging down and the opposite side has an oval catch, both to secure the lid to the box.