Hanbō inquiry - Iwai school?

[Jesper]

Hi all,

I would like to ask your opinion on this Hanbō. It has rather pronounced cheeks and smooth lines and if of four-piece construction with a four-step Yodare-kake throat guard. The lower part with a very huge Ase nagashi no ana drain hole under the chin is riveted to the upper part. The drain hole is 16 mm in diameter. The ear protections are decorated with a pierced design and are also riveted. The metal is rather thin and the edge along the cheeks and mouth has a slightly raised rim. Please see the photos' for details.

 

With best regards and thank you in advance.

Jesper

 

[Gilles]

Very nice hanbo, I like it a lot. To my knowledge, big drain hole is usually found on old hanbo. This one seems to be rather old also.

[uwe]

This is a puzzling piece of metalwork. It incorporates features of older masks as also characteristics of later ones, IMHO….

[Iekatsu]

Nice Hanbo, with some interesting features.  I am not sure where people draw the line with old,  but it's definitely not pre Edo.

[Luc T]

Edo for sure, Iwai is a good guess (but still a guess)

nice.

[Jesper]

Thank you for your comments. Much appreciated! 

I have the "Katchūmen : mononofu no kasō" book by Iida, but would like to ask if you are aware of any similar publication or study focusing on facial armour? 

 

With best regards,

Jesper

[uwe]

Hi Jesper,

 

unfortunately there is no similar publication as far as I know. Nevertheless, take this book with a grain of salt….

 

Thomas,

with “older” I mean the first half of the Edo period! No chance to be pre Edo, as Luc mentioned.

 

Let’s do some analysis 🧐