GN174

Went for £600.00 so will never know

it will probably cost me £250 if I want to find out by buying it, auction is at other end of the country and so driving there to view is out of question.

its in a local auction - that is all they have provided, wondered if it is worth a punt

Bought some books on subject and still no idea how to date or identify this mempo, any thoughts would be great

Any help with translation appreciated

Now I have ordered in lots of books on the basis of expanding my knowledge base, on the Mempo I can see that there are distinct styles and designs that are attributed to some of the highly regarded armourers. However I can't see that there is a style or design (beyond a specific armourer) that would link a particular Mempo to a date range other than some of the very early pieces. Are there stylistics features and designs that were only introduced after a certain period. I have attached the image of the one I have as I have looked a 100's of examples and I can't place it. It is the Hana that is throwing me just the shape of it. Real or fake I have no idea? Any guidance as to rules of what to look for would be gratefully received, I am guess it is by way of building a mental encyclopedia of other works and referencing them.

Now I have ordered in lots of books on the basis of expanding my knowledge base, on the Mempo I can see that there are distinct styles and designs that are attributed to some of the highly regarded armourers. However I can't see that there is a style or design (beyond a specific armourer) that would link a particular Mempo to a date range other than some of the very early pieces. Are there stylistics features and designs that were only introduced after a certain period. I have attached the image of the one I have as I have looked a 100's of examples and I can't place it. It is the Hana that is throwing me just the shape of it. Real or fake I have no idea? Any guidance as to rules of what to look for would be gratefully received, I am guess it is by way of building a mental encyclopedia of other works and referencing them.

Has this been altered and modified so heavily so as to be nice looking but not really of any value? I can absolutely see from the pictures above how the armour has then been lacquer, but do I understand it is the Kiri that are really out of place or very recent modifications?

This subject matter is more complex than I had every imagined I hadn't realised that there are so many "fakes" or incorrectly described pieces, having scrolled down the face book link (thank you) it seems buying the genuine as describe article can be difficult.

I was told that the full armour set which I have was previously on display at Hikone castle about 40 years ago, any thoughts on how I find out would be appreciated as I guess they would have all the background. Thank you all for your help to date it is much appreciated.

Is it nerikawa (lacquered leather)? - not sure how I know this, very new to this field. Seems to be cast iron.

One last question as you can tell me knowledge on the subject is limited, the more I read and I have now read quite a few books, the more complex the topic appears. Are all armours or pieces of armour generally signed, where would you look for signatures on other pieces generally.

Pictures of whole Do

You are right in that the left side does look like it has been deliberately scratched as no similar wear inside. I have tried to take a few more photos of this side, not sure they are any better than the first one I posted. If there a way in this wonderful age of technology to better reveal this writing, under a different light perhaps, or is what is done, done? What would normally be written there if the name of the armourer is the right hand side, would it be a date or name? I understand the armour is around 1590's if that helps.

Thank you, will take a closer photo of the rubbed section and also post pictures of whole do

Any help on translation but also meaning would be gratefully appreciated