Seeing beneath the surface

CT scans give insight to how ancient Japanese armor was crafted

By Kristyna Wentz-Graff September 12, 2017 Portland, Ore.

Downloads

CT imaging will allow the team at the Portland Art Museum to learn more about the construction of a Japanese suit of armor. Pieces of the suit were imaged at OHSU, August 9, 2017. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Portland Art Museum Japanese armor

The helmet from a Japanese suit of armor in the Portland Art Museum collection is imaged at OHSU, August 9, 2017. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Portland Art Museum Japanese armor

(Left to right) OHSU's Thomas Griglock and Sheven Thorson work with Portland Art Museum Conservator Samantha Springer as they image a Japanese suit of armor from the Portland Art Museum at OHSU, August 9, 2017. The suit was assembled in 1749. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Portland Art Museum Japanese armor

OHSU's Thomas Griglock works with Maribeth Graybill, The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Curator of Asian Art at the Portland Art Museum, to image a Japanese suit of armor from the museum collection at OHSU, August 9, 2017. A CT scan will allow curators to learn more about how the suit of armor was constructed. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Portland Art Museum Japanese armor

Portland Art Museum conservation intern Mari Hagemeyer (left) and conservator Samantha Springer position a helmet from a Japanese suit of armor on the CT scanner at OHSU, August 9, 2017. Hopes are the information from the scans will help the museum team's understanding of how the armor was created. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Portland Art Museum Japanese armor

A helmet from the Portland Art Museum's Japanese samurai coat of armor was the main focus of a CT scanning session, held at OHSU, August 9, 2017. The helmet is covered in thick lacquer which makes it difficult to determine the underlying materials and structure. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Portland Art Museum Japanese armor

A few other pieces were imaged from the Japanese suit of armor as well, including a shoulder guard, skirt and thigh guard. Portland Art Museum conservator Samantha Springer (center) and curator Maribeth Graybill (right) look over a piece before it is imaged, August 9, 2017. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Portland Art Museum Japanese armor

Pieces of a Japanese suit of armor from the Portland Art Museum are imaged at OHSU, with a CT scan, using a CT scan, August 9, 2017. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Portland Art Museum Japanese armor

Pieces of a Japanese suit of armor from the Portland Art Museum are imaged at OHSU, with a CT scan, using a CT scan, August 9, 2017. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Portland Art Museum Japanese armor

The helmet from a Japanese suit of armor in the Portland Art Museum collection is imaged at OHSU, August 9, 2017. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Portland Art Museum Japanese armor

The helmet from a Japanese suit of armor in the Portland Art Museum collection is imaged at OHSU, August 9, 2017. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)