Protective Talismans on Armour

[Baka Gaijin]

Good morning,

 

I recently discovered an extremely interesting Jingasa, which is currently with London dealer Malcolm Fairley.

 

As I do not have permission to display the image, I will supply the link to his website:

 

https://www.malcolmf...ered-leather-jingasa

 

One of the Kamon (Maru Ni Kuji??) is a representation of the Kuji grid used in the esoteric practices contained within Shingon Mikkyo, and adopted by a range of Martial Traditions in Japan, of both Ancient and Modern persuasion.

 

We also have this Talismanic aspect of nine lines in the Kaga Habaki.

 

I was told that some stone masons would carve the Kuji grid on stones at important compass points for castle construction.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuji-in#:~:text=Kuji no in (Hand seals of the Nine Syllables),-The Kuji-in&text=Kuji-kan (nine syllable visualization,the related incantations (mantra).

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Good solid read!
加州 Kashū habaki traditionally had kujikiri of four on one side and five on the other.

https://www.higotora.com/blog/加州ハバキ/

 

The NKBKHK will have an interesting upcoming article on talismanic protection on armours, but it’s in Japanese and has not been published yet, let alone translated, plus it’s a members only thing. Sadly Malcolm Fairley’s photo did not open for me. I’m stuck in hospital with no wifi, so maybe he blocks 5G transmissions!

[PNSSHOGUN]

For Piers:

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Ah, cheers for that, PNSS. I’d like to find out more about this Kuji Kamon if I make it out of here. Nice jingasa design though.

[Baka Gaijin]

Ah, cheers for that, PNSS. I’d like to find out more about this Kuji Kamon if I make it out of here.

 

OooH Matron!!!!!

 

 

[Baka Gaijin]

Here's an example of a Tsuba showing the nine lines: