Luc T

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.