Luc T

Ian, interesting kabuto. It seems Saiga work to me (mabezashi, jigane, tehen..) , but I can be wrong. Mine isn't, it's rather myochin. Also interesting is the application on the front, it looks a little like the mon on my kabuto. Piers, it's entirely one plate, with exeption of the two dragons on top.

I have an original ubu muromachi akodanari, inside 12 plates, outside 22 plates... they use these tricks longtimes.

maybe coincidential, but this bell was ordered by Hosokawa Tadaoki (1563-1645) in honor of his wife who was a Christian. It was made for a church near his castle. In 1613 Christianity became forbidden by the shogunate, and the church was destroyed. This bell survived, and was hidden somewhere in Tadaoki's castle. It's in the collection of the Eisei Bunko Museum.

thanks Ian. this one has a mon on the sides. Looks a bit like Hosokawa.

it is a temple bell indeed. I saw a very simmilar one in a Japanese collection, also published in 'Spectacular helmets of Japan'

some clans used their own style of armour, some had a typical style of kabuto. I have a kabuto, made from one single sheet of steel. Does anyone have an idea about the history of this hachi?

there are some people in Belgium and France. If you do it yourself, take the time to look at original lacing, it is much more complicated than most people think. Beware if you buy lacing in Japan, there are big differencs in the quality. By the way, does anyone know a good adress in Japan for lacing? It's more and more difficult to find good quality...

There are a lot of genealogies in Orikasa's 'studies on arms and armor', but no Kaneyoshi ...

strange... maybe they were there to attach the kote.

most of the nerigawa armors were lost in time, because they are far more difficult to conservate. Personally, I only own some old domaru and haramaki partially made of kawa. Some parts are damaged by hungry insects.. I store them in a dark room (only LED lights) , with 50-70% humidity. I saw several Iwai pieces of kawa. The big avantage is the weight indeed. Some say the were used by older samurai. nice men Jan , with haruta influence.

I once saw a very similar zunari with mabezashi, signed Azai Tomoyuki. I think it was end edo.

the katchu world is quite small. Jo Anseeuw, Teruo Orikasa and I also published a book (with succes) and translated another one on modern armor, but, if one think he can make money with it, he's making a terrible mistake. The only reason why we made the Saotome book was to spread the knowledge of Teruo Orikasa , and to show 38 interesting Saotome kabuto from different angles with Jo's splendid pictures. However it only costs me money, we are playing with the idea of publishing a second book. Passion is what drives us...

hello everybody, my name is Luc Taelman, I live in Belgium and I collect Japanese armor for +-20 years. Special interest for kabuto and menpo. I published a book on Saotome Kabuto 'Helmets of the Saotome school' (http://www.saotomebook.com) with my friend Jo Anseeuw and sensei Teruo Orikasa in 2010. We also made an English translation of Orikasa's 'studies on arms and armor'. New projects are in the pipeline. After 20 years of collecting Japanese armor, I should like it to have more contact with Brittish collectors (if they exist after all ).... maybe this forum can help me to come in touch with them.