Iron Maidate

[Tengu1957]

Maidate ,Edo period 
Iron with a light coating of dark brown lacquer   38.2 cm X 3.6 cm
Repousse Hachiman Daibujin , the great god of war Hachiman

[Henri]

This maedate looks like it was made for a modern day parade by a hobbiest. Im not sure if People have noticed, but the characters are very out of proportion and the tools used for the making is improper….. 

[Bugyotsuji]

We would need to see close shots of the fitment at the back, but overall I like the exaggerated composition/impression.

[Miura]

On 7/22/2024 at 7:59 AM, Henri said:

This maedate looks like it was made for a modern day parade by a hobbiest. Im not sure if People have noticed, but the characters are very out of proportion and the tools used for the making is improper….. 

I'd say this is a good call. Correct this is modern.  Did you make this Gary?  Or did you purchase it?  Something like this can be seen in the north part of Japan in Sendai, Fukushima etc. Its related to the Shingon religion. In this case Fudomyo. For Hachiman - Daibosatsu you would usually not see such a sword design. Sometimes it is seen on a kuwagata though, paired with Kasuga and Amaterasu (Ise).   But you would have had to have done your homework to know such nuances in religion and art, and whoever made it was probably an amateur.  Knowing Japanese history, religion, art, manufacturing techniques is what makes an expert an expert. Keep that in mind when you make your purchases, and if you don’t trust yourself, find somebody who knows what they are doing. You can check my resume on Facebook.  

[Tengu1957]

Andy ,

The item came from a friend who has had it for more than 40 years. I'm fully aware of who you are and what your reputation is. You may interpret that however you like.