Justin Grant

Add me to the list of fall-back buyers.

Is this where the "hour of the hare" came from, the dawn, when the stars are not visible, and thus, no rivets?

Luc- This sentence intimates that you are calling Ian a plagiarizer, and this is a very unprofessional thing to do. Maybe it's the translation between the languages, but I wanted to call out that dis-ingeniousness of this statement above. Ian is a scholar, and as any serious scholar and student knows, attribution is provided where known, but at some point, this attribution falls off when the information becomes common belief. At one point, someone kept providing attribution to the person who first promulgated that the earth was round, and not flat. This attribution was appended each time it was discussed, but at some point when it became common belief, they quit attributing the statement to Pythagoras. You'll attract more flies with honey than vinegar.

It’s also important to remember that while brass has been in Japan since the 400’s. It had a different zink content than brass of today. That’s what makes it hard on replacement parts for items like Teppo and armor that had brass pieces, the colors are different in the natural state and the patina will also differ based on the zink.

The general rule for antiques of metal is Silver and Brass are ok to polish, but Copper and Gold should remain with the patina. That being said, it's his, and can do as he pleases. And as for brass or bronze maedate being post Edo, not sure about that blanket statement. I have two that are Mid/Late Edo, and are brass. They may have been guilt, but that has since worn off.

Stephen, would be honored. Ironically, I hear this a lot from my clients soon to be ex-husbands. But they, unlike you, have nefarious intentions that are soon dashed when we meet. It’s rather Funny ????

Grumpy old codger. Seems you too fail to see the humor in mine. Now you know how he felt, most just assumed you made a typo. As you say to other on this site, contribute to the conversation or education, or move on. Roy, keep at it. Don’t focus on the nay sayers. Piers and others are willing to help.

How's the weather Stephen, up in that smug ivory tower?

Roy It should look like this

What it really needs to talc powder brushed into the script to help illuminate it.

Malcom It's a modified Hotta and Takeda deal, the Kuroda Clan also used it. I think it's called a Maru ni Mokkou

I think it's a less precise version of the one on my pea shooter.

Thanks Luc, That makes sense. Like I said, Ignorance plays a large role in my life.

Luc Please help me understand the time gap here. You state he was a Ronin after Seki, so lets say for argument, absent more specific information in the post, and up to an including my ignorance, that this Ronin was between 18-25 in 1600. If this kabuto was made at the end, lets say the last 15 years, he was 103-110. If the last 50, so Mid 17th, he was 68-75 years old. But late usually refers to the last quarter, so 1675, which makes him 93 to 100. Are we talking about the same dude or is this a line of makers with the same name? Your statement that Ietada was the best known maker leads me to think one person, and one super talented centenarian. Especially significant since the average life expectancy in Edo was about 50 years old.

Steve and Morita-San Thank you. I have never seen it spelled out in hiragana, they are usually referred to a moji-mandara and in Kanji. Never thought to look for what was in my face and assumed since the first kanji was script, it all was. Thank you!!!

Thank you. On the actual gohonzon, down the center reads Namu Myoho Renge Kyo and Nichiren and his kao. I was more interested in the small script on the back in the first picture. Thank you!!

As a practitioner of Nichiren Shu, I saved this old Meiji era Gohonzon from being used as a decorative all hanger! Anyway, before I send it off for professional conservation to keep it from falling further apart, I would like to know what the text reads on the back. I am assuming it's the name of the monk that created it, as my copy form the early 80's has the Monks name on it when he created mine, but I'd like to know for sure before I send it off. Any thoughts? Thank you! Justin

Not rare, but not all that common. Basara has them from time to time. I’ve always wanted one, so I’m happy. Just need the ribbon, may make it myself.

Uwe, it’s a court hat eboshi. Not a kabuto. Sorry for lack of clarity.

Thank you so much. I’ll print this up and stick it in the box and when my kids sell my stuff when I’m gone, some history will not need to be retraveled. Much appreciated.

Thank you SteveM and Uwe! Steve, based on your expert translation, do you think maybe it had two sale dates, once in 1875 and another in 1927? Seems like a long time to have an item on a merchant shelf. Thanks again!

Is the 4th column Suzuki Kingo? Maybe? Maker?

Not sure why it rotated my image. Sorry

I have an eboshi court hat that arrived today. I’m trying to read the bottom of the bitsu (box). I think the first line is Meiji ( cant read next kanji) 8 year (1876). Next column is something 3rd month, lucky day and don’t know last kanji. Third column is Showa, don’t know next two kanji, 4 month 17 day, don’t know last kanji. Then the last two columns I don’t know at all. Can you help me?

The translation you seek is a date, unrelated to the Armor, it’s a date the leather pattern design was approved, Shohei (era) 6 year, 6 month, etc. again, all armors with this pattern of leather have this on it.