uwe

Lucky day in the seventh month shōwa 12 = 1937

As mentioned above, a well made kabuto! The view inside and the overall appearance might support the date and I stick with my assumption that it was probably never been “completed”. Open for other opinions and comments…

I can’t tell, Colin. The manufacturing date is quite late. Maybe it never had a customer, so no need to sign the work. The patina is very evenly no wear, no signs of a once mounted shikoro or tehen no kanamono…however, I don’t know. BTW, it’s not that uncommon that helmets, although of good quality, weren’t signed by the maker. Mumei, so to say, for what reason ever. Occasionally you also find merely dates or/ and invocations are inscribed…

For the sake of completeness, the date is “万延元年十一月吉日” (on a lucky day 11th month first year Man’en = 1860). The smith, like oli pointed out, is “月山貞吉作之” (Gassan Sadayoshi kore o saku = Gassan Sadayoshi made this).

Maybe of Myōchin origin…?

“田中敬哲應需” (Tanaka Hiroaki ouju = on request of Tanaka Hiroaki/ Hironori).

Good hachi, solid workmanship from what I can see 👍 Do you have a top view?

I strongly believe it’s a (Chinese) fake. So translating the inscription would make no sense….sry Steve…

It’s a date as you already mentioned, Colin! “元治二乙丑五月吉日” (5. month second year Genji = 1865).

Phantasy allows 豊成 …?!

Many thanks for explaining that, Moriyama San!

I’ve checked “Sesko”…hmm, he has him as “Kitsusōshi, I’m puzzled….

Judging school is very difficult on this mask. No clear features are pointing somewhere… I agree with Luc about the period and quality, though. Can you show us some additional pics…side view, underside of the chin etc?!

“Kitsusōshi Inaba”?

Maybe “江府住栄清” (Kōfu Jū Eisei)?