Explore the History of this artwork.
From 1185 to 1333, the Kamakura shogunate was dominated by members of the Minamoto clan, the Fujiwara clan, minor princes of the Imperial family, and members of the Hojo clan. The collapse of the Hojo clan was a result of the Genkō War, where power of the Kamakura shogunate was temporarily transferred to Emperor Go-Daigo in the Kenmu Restoration, the return of Imperial rule. The restoration lasted only three years, to be replaced by Takauji, who marched into Kyoto and later ousted Go-Daigo in the Battle of Minatogawa.
The armor was enshrined within the Shinomura Hachimangū (篠村八幡宮) in Kameoka, Kyoto, for over 570 years. It is believed to be a donation made by Takauji during a ten-day stay at the shrine, prior to engaging Go-Daigo's forces. The armor was an offering to the kami of war, Hachiman.
Kenmu Restoration Fujiwara clan Hachiman kami Shinomura Hachimangū Hojo clan Minamoto clan Kamakura shogunate Kyoto Genkō War Kameoka, Kyoto shogun Emperor Go-Daigo Kameoka Battle of Minatogawa