Anthony de Vos

Hi! I think your currency converter is somewhat off. The end price of the auction including fees and shipping is just under 1300$ Anthony

Hi! Well Stephen, obviously I am more fond of them than others. This is the current market. Anthony

Hi gents! Another lighter to the hoard, pics upon arrival, at the usual place. Love the iron ones. Anthony de Vos

Hi! I cought another little bird. Sukashi in brass and kinpaku. Anthony

Hi! I did not see your answer John. Maybe we should make a crowd funding project? We can test shoot here in Sweden without breaking any laws. That would be interesting. AdV

Hi! Do we have any scientific attemts to test the 62 group? We all know and probably own kabutos with tameshi test shots done from the other groups. There are obviously 2 schools of opinion what the results would be shooting at a multi Ken kabuto. AdV

Hi! If one can assume that all these new modells developing in the end of Muromachi and during Momoyama was an adoptation to the new treat. My original question was about the 62 Ken, suji or koboshi, which we not put in the timeline where other modells developed, is inferior regarding protection. In my logic they added something positive in order to be so popular. And I don’t believe it was only glamour. Some believe they will break on the inpact of a musket ball, others not. Maybe I load up one of my big babies and blast one of those Saotomes and then we get a scientific answer. AdV

Hi! So, the question remain unanswered. I also read the exellent article regarding the development of the eastern vs the western kabutos, but why would anyone go through the cumbersom process to manufacture a 62 Ken koboshi instead of a zunari if they were inferior regarding protection? The bottom line is, are the complicated koboshi or suji inferior regarding protection? If no, well problem solved, they have their nish, good protection and a good show off for the rich. If yes, why did they exist? I believe warriors are pragmatic. If it doesn’t work, discard it.. Anthony

Hi! Nice zunari! I agree that it is an overlockef type of kabuto, well worth to study. I will be off topic now so I will take some flak for it, and it may be a question for a different post, however.. I see the discussion regarding the 62 Ken kabuto being inferior to the earlier, zunari, momonari or toppai. My problem with this is the timing. We know now, from studies made by Jan, that the expansion of matchlocks was rather slow in the beginning, armies munstering a lot less of them than previously believed. We know that 62 Ken started to develop in the mid of 1500. In the second half of that century guns started to come along, the Korea invasion as one example. So, why would one want to think; wow a new dangerous weapon is spreading, let’s make a new style of kabuto, that will be complicated and time consuming to build, especially if we fill it with small rivets. And best of all it won’t work and break on an impact from a bullet! I fail to see the logic in that, is it my time line that is wrong? Anthony

Hi! I also have a love for these little beauties. Here is my collection. If you want to study each one in detail, you can find them here; http://www.nihonto-yoroi.com/forum/forum/hinawaju-火縄銃-firearms/matchlock-paraphernalia/250-the-snaphaunce-netsuke-tinder-lighters Regards, Anthony

Hi! I have now read the book. It was an utter pleasure. I had the idea that, due to my perception of a narrow subject, it might be very technical and attract mostly hard core tepponistas. This is not the case. The book gives an exellent historical recollection of the history of the Uesugi clan, their developement from the Momoyama all the way to the end of the Edo period. It also gives insights in the hardship for the peasants and samurai alike. The book is just as much a history book in general as a specific tale of the development and use of matchlocks, not only in Yonezawa, but all over Japan. It offers new insights and topples old preconceptions and also opens up for new theories regarding the origin of certain matchlocks. This is a book to read, not only for the few collectors of these lovely guns but for everyone interested in Japanese history. I strongly recommend to read it. Anthony de Vos

Hi! Congrats, Dave! Well deserved. The road of learning will never end. Keep going, capable restorers in the west are few. Anthony

Hi! Exellent work Dave! I have always been a happy customer. The price of some of my stuff just went up, restaurated by such distinguished katchushi. You have earned the cudos, you never gave up. The Dr Sasama part is a huge recognition. Anthony

Hi Thanks Uwe! You are a darling! Rumors says it's on the way to Sweden. AdV

Hi! Do you mean my example from Yahoo, Uwe? Can you read the whole mei on that one? Anthony

Hi! This one? https://www.jauce.com/auction/c615598623 Mei; Ietsugu Fujiwara, a Haruta smith from Nara. AdV

Hi! Thanks guys for the encouraging words. I am happy the guns are not standing in an umbrella stand like situation any more... AdV

Hi! Yes, actually I did buy it from Australia. Was it well known down under? Anthony

Hi! Went to Jan's yesterday for a visit to his lovely little Japanese garden and some barbecue. We ate a whole farm. I also picked up a new, very needed gun rack that was custom made, a work that Jan has commissioned for me. The last roll call ended up in 19 guns, odd number which is good. Finally some order among the big girls. Long guns and the smaller ones. Anthony

Hi! Rumors say that among all the Tokubetsu Juyo swords in the collection, there is also a national treasure. I think the museum will be a treat for sword lowers and armor geeks alike. AdV

Hi! Well, I have some heavy guns, but not all of my guns are heavy.... Here are some of them Covering the channel, with my bonsai cannon, It has a nice history participating in the Takamori campaign Another one 40 monme Big guns needs big tools... Sorry, I am seriously off topic. Anthony

Hi! Brian, the box with arrows is mine, I have 3 of them, the boxes with spaces for the arrows are quite rare. I guess most of them have succumbed to moisture and insects. Something for the lovers of ya and yanone. In this picture there are 4 yumi, the two to the left are Muromachi, the two to the right are Edo. The forrest... Some different ebira, all ya have battle yanone exept for the four white, those a "presentation arrows" I made for my wife box with mixed goodies.. In the last picture you also see the lid of the box that Eric published If the post is in the wrong section, just delete it. Anthony

Hi! I have used this service on several occasions and are very happy with the result, exellent service and communication, well packed items. This you can find elsewere of cause but you also have the expertise of the kyobai crew, something that is useful for beginners in collecting. The pricing is also affordable. I can recommend it. Anthony de Vos

Hi! That was many nice word Justin, do you study law? :clap: Agreed more research is needed. Anthony

Hi! I would appriciate if someone would be able to shed some light regarding this letter. It is supposes to be written by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Hideie Ukita, in 1588. I am not sure of the autenticity. Regards, Anthony de Vos