Luc T

Hi Henrik, inform yourself very carefully before you start. Relacing is not as easy as it looks, working with urushi neither. Use real an genuine materials, if you do this good, you will learn a lot.

Indeed an interesting study. Well done.

Hello Anthony, you have an edo kabuto here, made in the style of East Japan, Tohoku. this because the flat top, and de curved plates. the lacquer, mabezashi and tsunamoto however, point in the direction of west Japan, Yamato. this is probably a east and west fusion kabuto, as we find often during the edo period.

I have seldom seen such a fine quality. Ceremonial yes, but top of the top!

Number 7 is ready to be printed!

I was there on Saturday. it was good to be back after 3 years. you meet so many friends that it is impossible to speak to everyone. this community has a lot of interesting people, and everyone knows nmb. Thanks Brian!

There are several fakes like this one. Be carefull.

Sendai men: I think he ment the Tohoku or Kanto, short east Japan style of menpo. This one could more or less fit in this group.

I prefer to use the therm ‘iron’ when it comes to the material used for kabuto, simply because ‘steel’ is less practical to hammer in a certain shape. but this is a very subjective approach after all.

one remark: it is extremely difficult to judge items on a picture only. Buying on a picture is always a risk. Look at this example. maybe it is good, it is certainly at least a possible copy, but is it a genuine Unkai kabuto? Why is this dealer selling such a pristine item using such poor pictures? If it is good (what I doubt), he lost a lot of money by not using top pictures. If it is a recent work, he won a lot.

Thanks Gary, bamboo in the snow.

according Orikasa's research, there are 3 Ujimasa generations. This one worked around Kyoho (1716-1736)

it seems that I have one from the same smith: 'Kanazawa ju Ujimasa saku

That’s a fine set Gary! If you want to know more about kaga zogan abumi: http://www.saotomebo...ups-for-samurai.html

You should look at the back of the saddle. If it’s signed, it’s there.

Alex, the armor world is fascinating. But as every other valuable collectible, you have to inform before you spend big money. Inform yourself before you decide to buy. Golden rule: if it is too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. one more thing I want to say here. The 62plate Saotome kabuto are underestimated. They are hardly to copy. And they are wonderful pieces of art. Quite safe to buy.

This is the collectors dream. A fantastic kawari, that never pops up for sale, and if they do, don’t dream, they cost a fortune. So the collector want it to be real, he is in love and lose all sense for criticism.

Good observations Michael. I think it is clear.

Since I am studying European history, I do not underestimate the etymology approach. Talking about Japanese armor, we in the west are cursed because of the language issue. On the other hand, we are blessed: We are forced to analyse what we see, not to absorb what we read. i have experienced many times that we understand things better than some Japanese, simply because we are forced to use our eyes. If you do archeological reconstruction, it must even give a better idea. please continue Artur, the floor is yours.

I think you mean Munekyo, mid edo

Crap!

Indeed, all fakes!

I met Patrice Sabbah yes. He was there as a dealer.

Ototsugu, a fine craftsman, worked for Kurosawa in the 1970-1980s

Well Brian, maybe you will never own one, but heer 3 Saotome koboshi for you to enjoy