Japanese armour and the conservation of a Sakakibara family armour at the Royal Armouries

A late sixteenth-century Japanese armour, once owned by the Sakakibara family and now part of the Royal Armouries collection, underwent conservation to address material degradation and component interactions. The study revealed that armours constructed with layered materials—such as lacquered leather, silk, and metal plates—are susceptible to chemical reactions over time, leading to discoloration, brittleness, and structural instability. Conservation efforts included careful cleaning, stabilization of degraded components, and the use of reversible adhesives to restore the armour's integrity without compromising its historical authenticity. This case study highlights the challenges in preserving intricate cultural artifacts, offering insights that are applicable to similar objects worldwide, including those at UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Nikko Tōshō-gū Shrine.

Dalewicz-Kitto, S., McLaughlan, F., Schmuecker, E., & Hood, J. (2013). Japanese armour and the conservation of a Sakakibara family armour at the Royal Armouries. Journal of the Institute of Conservation, 36(1), 35–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/19455224.2013.774250