carolinaskies

Never will I forget It!

I have since found reference pictures in the forum, so definitely a Saotome. I suppose any particular deviations could be due to which particular individual made this paticular suji? Given it's present state I would venture it's a good candidate for restoration, yes? As there are so numerous variations possible to apply in all the years suji were made, given the holes along the perimeter, what combination of those accoutrements does this suggest were likely used?

Maybe this explains why the kabuto remained unsigned, that a mistake was made and he would not affix his name to it? I have not found any bare Kabuto by any of the Saotome lineage which show the placement of the interior rivet so I'm curious where you all have this reference?

Nothing chiseled that is readily visible.

I'm a buyer and seller of all kinds of interesting things, and today I came across one of my most interesting pieces coming from the hands of Japanese craftsmen in the past. Of course it's a kabuto, but as it's my first real piece of very old headgear I know little about these and am intrigued to learn as much as I can about this one. It has 62 iron segments, the weight of the kabuto was very surprising! It has squat rivets and a number of holes along the bottom perimeter. It has black laquer on the outside and a couple spots of red on the inside. I didn't find any markings of maker, is this more common in one period over another? Or is it an indication of perhaps apprentice work? The various number and size holes along that bottom have me wondering what might have been attached and do these indicate maybe it is an older kabuto that might have been updated in style at a later time? Any help and information is greaty appreciated!