Justin Grant

I have a question in regards to Samurai using "shields" in battle in the Kamakura period. I am reading a book by Karl Friday and in the chapter "Culture of War" he quotes a passage from "Konjaku Monogatarishu" about the battle of Minamoto Mitsuru and Taira Yoshifumi "...While all prepared their hearts, readying to cast aside their bodies and disregard their lives, they planted shields in rows, facing each other at a distance of about one chou..." I know I have seen reference to early Nara/Heian period conscripted peasants using shields, but never in terms of the Samurai. Was it standard encampment technology to protect the camp from arrows, and these are less than personal shields and more walls in nature? Karl also takes a good potshot at Turnbull in this chapter and calls Steven wrong on some topics.. Not a good read but a required book for my history class (Old student I am!)

Maybe he did it to keep people from faking his work... Can't be easy doing what he did. And yes, people with Dys see letters backwards. Sometimes, whole words.

Any thoughts? Appreciate the help. Thanks Justin

Moriyama-Sama, eta al I wonder if the kanji we assume to be "Kane" 金 is actually 企 "Ki"? I am looking for alternate kanji that may provide a match for a name. Grasping at straws. Thank you, Justin

I am not sure, but I am practicing on a set of armor with detailed instructions from Ian. Not easy, but very rewarding. I purchased 60 meters of dark blue odoshi and 60 meters of real sinew and I just have at it. Justin

Sorry Ian, I did not realize or remember that that was the book you were referring to. I do understand that I may never know more about the Kaneyoshi that made the Kabuto. Just wishful thinking I suppose.. I do appreciate all of the help and support.

I looked it up online, these are the movies they played in order The Drunken Angel Rashomon 7 Samurai Throne of Blood Yojimbo Red Beard Samurai Part I Duel at Ichijoji Temple Samurai Part II Samurai Rebellion Muhomatsu, The Rickshaw Man It is odd that TMC devoted a whole day to these moveis, and I for one enjoyed what I got to see. Justin

TMC (Turner Movie Classics) had a 24 hour long festival of Samurai moves yesterday. Some I have never seen. The 3 Samurai trilogy was the last of the 3 they played. Hope you that are in the states and get TMC had a chance to see them. I got to see Red Beard, Duel at Ichijoji Temple, and Samurai I. Justin

Hi Tom I find is fascinating that it was one of the final pieces made before the restoration and that it was made for a conflict that set the ball in motion. I have asked and looked in what limited books I have access to to find the smith and no luck. I am very sure the mei is original, the gold lining is over the mei and I am sure the gold is original. Theory is the smith was a common smith, but the treatments applied to this kabuto was of higher end (the mabezashi, gold lining, the agamaki hanger, nerigawa lined shikoro, and the finer silk odoshi). It was not for a common foot soldier, but someone of more "means". The smith took a simple zunari and added some "upgrades". I wish I had access to the Katchu Meikan to see if he is listed, or if this style has some clues to the area of manufacture, but my knowledge is shallow and resources are very sparse. Thanks! Jg

Hi Thomas The mei was translated by Moriyama-sama here http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=13251. Photos of the Kabuto are attached. The Menpo is not original to the Kabuto and the Meadate is modern. My questin/assumption is based on the date translation.

I have a question in regards to armor for the Boshin war. I have read numerous articles about uniforms and arms used for this conflict. It is stated that the Imperial forces used modern weapons and “Western” style clothing and the Shogun forces were mostly comprised of traditional Samurai and arms, but that the small elite Shogun force was armed and trained in western style outfits and arms. What brings me to this questions is that my Kabuto is signed Keio 4 Boshin, so this Kabuto was made for and during this short lived conflict. I am wondering if it was more than likely made for the Shoguns forces or would it have been just as likely to be for the Imperial forces? I know that Satsuma, Choshu, and Tosa clans were the main supporters, but again, most of what I read stated they were fully modernized. Even the woodblock and real photos show a westernized dressed army when depicting the Imperial forces and the prints show Samurai when depicting the Shogun’s forces. Just trying to figure out what side would have been most likely to have a Katchu-shi producing traditional armor for this conflict.

From FreeJapaneseLessons.com The particle "wo" (を): The particle "wo" (or "o") marks the direct object of a Japanese sentence. In the example, "I'm going to take her home" (watashi wa kanojo wo ie ni okuru), "her" would be the direct object.

In my opinion, it was a non matched set, the sode were from a more elaborate armor, the menpo did not belong with the kabuto, the sunate were different from the other parts. The kabuto was not lined, etc. Decent parts, but I think Frank paid retail for it at $3,500. The other armor looked modern, the armor the guy said had a 12K menpo (Bird beak). Doubtful that it was a 16th century armor. The one very honest thing the "expert appraiser" had to say was that this armor was not for any serious collector, they would have no interest in it, and it was more for the new collector that wants a set. Justin

Eric If you make the trek up to Louisville, please let me know, I'll come down to Louisville and would love to meet you. Thanks Justin

This spiral sewing to not easy. After a few circles, it started to look like a blind person started sewing. After removing all of the thread, I am going to draw a pattern in chalk to follow. Justin

Ian, with this new information, I would suggest you keep an eye out for a box from the US. :D I'll give it a try.

Well, the band is out. It was anchored in by the hachi tsuke-no-byo in three places and the shinobi-ne-no-o anchors. The real trick will be stitching it back in. The space between the ni-no-ita and the hachi sandwiched the leather band in. Need to think on this step without removing the shikoro.

Ian, What is you shipping address? I have a large box on they way that needs your attention :D I'll give this a go, but have a feeling I'll be making several until I get it right. I am guessing a sewing machine is out of the question when it comes to the spiral?

Thank you Eric. Ian or Piers Is it more of a spiral or perfect circles that one sews, ties off, and starts another circle? Can I use the current band that is still sewn into the rim? I assume I can remove it. Thanks Jg

Piers, would you by chance have a name or a link? I have no idea what to search for. I did secure a rather old (1920's) Asa (Hemp) male kimono online, and plan on using it for a liner if I have to make one. Ian, I think the reason the katchushi use such thick thread is that Hemp only comes in small rope sizes! I have looked all over the web and the smallest I can find is 16 gauge! I called the local "hippie" shop in town, they are all "hemp" people, and they too have never seen a decent small sewing type hemp thread, and they use cotton thread when making the "tree hugger" outfits. Maybe the thicker thread added strength and toughness?

Piers, Did you make your own liner? I need one for my kabuto. Pointers welcome! It is hard to see the Zunari in your kabuto. The transformation is unreal.

Eric- No indication that it was ever anything more than Sabiji. The red urushi is still on the inside of the mabizashi, and the gold is still very present in the bowl. There are no signs of urushi under the shikoro, and the odoshi looks original, so I don't think it was removed and then the lacquer removed and then re-laced. Piers, would love to see you new find.

With the expert help of many including Ian, Moriyama Sama, Thomas, John, and Uwe, the Mei was translated in the Translation Section, so I thought I would post some photos. This is not a high end item, but a good example of a late custom kabuto. I don't have a date on the menpo, it is not a matched set. The maedate is a modern piece, just added for flair. The shikoro are leather faced. The mabizashi is doubled over the stock zunari peak. The bowl is gold urushi on the inside. It also has a hanger (forget name for it) on the back for an agamaki bow. The bowl is sabiji. Once I figure out where the maker worked and what school, I'll be jazzed! Thanks Justin PS, these are the sellers photos.

Moriyama Sama Thank you, I know this was a tough one when parts of words are missing. I assume the Boshin reference is to the last days of the samurai before the October 1868 Nengo change to Meiji. If that is correct, it would be between January and October of 1868. Now I need to see if he is listed anywhere. Thank you for bringing his words back to life. Justin