Shogun8

Hi Majus, First of all, congratulations on trying to tackle this esoteric art. I fully agree with all of Colin's comments about the huge differences between the early Myochin work and pieces from the workshop of Takase Kozan vs. the cheap, rudimentary pieces that we often see on the market. Judging by your work so far, I don't think you're trying to monetize your craft by creating the cheap knock-offs. I especially like your carp. As I'm sure you're aware, there are a very few other artisans working in the space, most notably Haruo Mitsuta. What I think differentiates Mitsuta's work is that he's not simply trying to copy the old Myochin or Kozan work, he is actually breaking new ground by making examples of creatures that have not been made before and using materials that add to the realism. I understand that there is someone in Europe who is making fairly good copies of iron jizai (I haven't seen them, so I can't attest to their quality) and trying to pass them off as old examples. Although I have some contemporary pieces in my collection (including by Mitsuta), I would personally stay away from work that is trying to be passed off as an antique. As a collector, my advice to you is if you're serious about making this a vocation, try making new subjects or creatures. Of course, there may be collectors out there who may want to buy copies of old items or may even commission you to do so, which is ok as far as I'm concerned.

I'm with everyone else - very impressed!

I haven't seen or heard from Ian in years. Does anyone know how he's doing?

Agree with Uwe and Piers - decent kabuto.

Good comments from both Piers and Uwe. Two observations: the first armour has a fairly uncommon feature - the hanagami-bukuro - which is that small pouch on the lower left of the dou the second armour looks more ensuite, but the nose on the menpo is a replacement (and not a very good one at that) Overall, the first armour is more martial but composite and the second one is likely to attract more attention (due to the kamon on the dou, fukigaeshi, etc.). For your budget, they're both decent.

Fully agree here.

Indeed, John. Ieyasu had 2 armours with zunari kabuto, albeit his were in gold.

Uwe, I know the piece you refer to here and I love it. In fact "art", like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. With pieces such as this, I think context is important. It was made in the time of battles, when they had to churn these things out to meet demand, so they didn't have the time and resources to devote to making them. Yet, they still achieved a very serviceable helmet, that even today, looks streamlined and beautiful and because of it's shape and lightness was effective for its time. I know that I'm preaching to the converted here, but I write this for others who might not fully appreciate these old items.

Understood, Colin - it was only a mild, off-handed criticism. After all, I didn't see the kabuto in the state you started with - and you're correct, the shine will fade!

Another nice and proper kabuto, Colin - one doesn't usually see fukurin and the fancy knots on this type of kabuto as Piers and Uwe have mentioned. I think eboshi are very under-appreciated (and thus undervalued). My only criticism would be the polishing and waxing...only because I like things as ubu as possible.

As Uwe has alluded to, I see no issues with the quality of this kabuto. It is a proper, battle-worthy specimen that hasn't been tatted up. In my eyes, kabuto like this are more respectable - and harder to find - than the usual run-of-the-mill late Edo stuff that attract most collectors.

Hi Howard, Agree with Luc and Uwe on their assessments. I should also add that older kabuto - especially toppai nari - often had very thin lacquer applied, ostensibly for weight considerations. Nice kabuto!

If Uwe is correct about the kabuto being ichimai, then it's even less common than I thought (if it's iron - ichimai in leather is fairly common).

Tyler, This is much more true than a revival armour (which I personally don't like so much), especially when one keeps in mind the fact that true items of battle had parts changed out all the time. Although they may not constitute a matching gusoku, all of the components are proper and give a good sense of battle armour.

I agree with Piers, it's a decent armour - especially for your first. I really like the high collar of the dou!

Arthur and Thomas, I too, have been wondering lately about the true origins of the mogamidô. primarily because so many known examples seem to be worn with Western kabuto, including the one with the ko-zunari in Arthur's Feb. 19th post, the famous one in Leeds and several others with ko-toppai.

For me, even if the top section is original (doubtful), the overall ensemble is not harmonious.

It would be good to seen images of the entire menpo.

They actually seem to be in decent shape, except for the ieji (fabric backing). Cheap for what they are.

Excellent and fascinating article - thanks for sharing, Peter!

Very late revival armour - perhaps as late as Meiji or Showa as Michael has already mentioned). No historical value whatsoever, except perhaps as a reference for what some parts of old armour looked like.

So-called Sendai men (or Kanto men) are found on the famous armours of the Date clan and identifying them is a little bit tricky because they're not quite Haruta/Nara nor are they strictly Myochin in terms of design and construction. They can be ryubu or ressei and with or without yadome. The vast majority have bristled moustaches but there are a few without. They're also not terribly common, certainly not as common as typical Nara or Myochin mengu.

Hi Jonas, I think it's a decent menpo, but I have the following concerns: there might have once been ears, which would mean they are now missing (although in the last pic there seems to be a raised ridge running along the edge which would mean that perhaps there were no ears originally). Do you have a close-up of this part of the menpo? the odoshi (lacing) has indeed been replaced and in my opinion it's much too bright (I don't think I've ever seen this shade of blue on armour before).

Wow. Just wow.

Really great stuff, Arthur! I believe the shape of the helmet you posted from the Murakami collection is called an urinari (although there are variations of this that don't follow this construction, so for the purposes of your study it's probably irrelevant). I once had one in my collection signed by Myochin Mune-somebody and a similar one is in the Chappelear book that shows more clearly the construction. Anyway, intriguing topic and I love the meticulous approach.