Mempo dating

[GN174]

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.  

[YOJIMBO]

look made yasterday

[Iekatsu]

Not quite yesterday, likely Showa period.

 

[uwe]

No worries  Graham, you are in good company!

Dating menpō is very difficult and in most cases, especially when not signed, all one can do is setting a time frame. Something like early/mid/late Edo, for example. Good books about the subject are rare and mostly written in Japanese. “Katchūmen-Mononofu no kasō” by Katsuo Iida could be a recommendation. Some mistakes inside but quite a good book!

 

Back to your mask. Unfortunately I tend to agree with Thomas and Simon here. The model was obviously a so called “Nara-men”. This type was made in large numbers back then (more or less always similar, with recurring features) and goes allegedly back to the Haruta school...

 

There is a lot more to say, but that should be enough for today. Beer is waiting.... 

[Laurent in France]

As everybody said all  materials is quiet new  here showa or newer considering the laquer inside and outside the menpo ,  and the laquer and lacing  of the tare... a complete example ..

[GN174]

thank you all, ,live and learn