Saotome or not Saotome?!

[sounderites]

Nervous to cut through the Ukebari to look for a signature. Do we think this might be Saotome? Thanks!

[sounderites]

[sounderites]

[Shugyosha]

Hi Julian,

I'm not an armour guy but advice a saw on another thread was to buy a cheap endoscope and go in through the hole in the top (Tehen?) to check for a signature.

 

Looks a nice kabuto whether signed or not.

[Marc T]

Hello Julian,

Fully agree with John. Do not cut the ukebari. 
Nice helmet by the way.

[Luc T]

This is 100% not a Saotome

[Luc T]

If you want to compare:  http://www.saotomebook.com

[uwe]

Agreed, I rather would put it in the Myōchin corner.

[sounderites]

Thanks for the input everyone! I've ordered an endoscope... will insert through the tehen and report back. 

[sounderites]

Looking at the back plate, I don't think I can see a mei. The $39 endoscope might not be high enough resolution though. Any other thoughts on how to tell what school this helmet is? Thanks!

[Luc T]

The characteristics point towards east Japan.   However determining a specific school is difficult.   Yashu or Soshu are possible.  Did you check the frontplate?

[sounderites]

I tried the front plate, but it seemed no wider than any of the other plates. Not much room for a mei. Came w/ edo period Satake clan maedate if that is helpful, but probably not. 

[uwe]

Your cheap endoscope does a good job, Julian!

Quite good workmanship with 6 rows of rivets. Unfortunately, no mei….

[Luc T]

5 hours ago, uwe said:

Your cheap endoscope does a good job, Julian!

Quite good workmanship with 6 rows of rivets. Unfortunately, no mei….

Good observation.  This sorts out Yashu. Also no Saotome, Haruta, Bamen.

 

[uwe]

….and no Neo or Nagasone 😉 So what’s left?

To open the usual Myōchin drawer, Soshu appears indeed as a possibility. The problem is, that we also have to consider the independent makers. Let me compare some examples from the archives….

[sounderites]

Thank you Uwe & Luc! Let me know if I can provide additional interior shots or anything helpful.