Luc T

Ian, normally I don't like these young armors. Kabuto were mostly grotesque copies of kamakura hachi. But as you say, the menpo is stunning, as you see often with end edo men. The total concept of this set is very attractive. Especially the aspect of changing ito. Definetly the better work for this period.

here a picture from the Royal armor (copy from the catalogue)

Martin, the only source I know is a book: katchu men, from Kazuo Iida. for sale on Amazon I think. But what you ask, is not an easy job, dating menpo...

Ian, it is not the armor in Chappelear's book. This one was given at the same moment, but the armor in question, inspired on a O yoroi, is much more luxury (also stored in Leiden) Both armor came together with some sets of byobu, bows, sets of arrows and so on. It was a present for the king after he gave the fast developping country an old vessel. The Japanese were very much interested in the shipbuilding techniques of the Dutch. I know the English and French gave presents too in the Ansei period, everybody wanted to gain the sympathy of Japan for commercial purposes. Henk-Jan, we have to give the curator a little credit. He is only 28 and has a lot to learn. Anyway, it's a clever youngman, and he is planning to write a thesis about Japanese armor. So I think we are going to hear from him in the future. Maybe Jo has taken a picture on the opening ceremony. I will ask him to post it if he has one.

A few months ago, Lody Duindam from the Dutch Token asked me to loan some pieces on the World Museum in Rotterdam, on the occasion of an exhibition on the Samurai. At the opening, I received some catalogues, and I sent one up to the respected Teruo Orikasa in Japan. Shortly thereafter I received a mail from him if I had more information about an exhibited armor of Munekane . Orikasa and Ishida were since 1999 looking for a harness that the last Shogun gave to the 'French' king. Orikasa thought he recognized this armor in the catalogue. The matter was further investigated, partly by Mr. Ishida, who has a copy of the diary of Munekane. The curator of the exhibition, Bas Verberk, immersed himself in the matter, and soon it was discovered that this armor must have been the gift from the Shogun to the Dutch king in 1855. This discovery made controversy in Japan, and will appear in the Japanese national press "on the most happy day, januari 1" My question now is, does anyone know of armor, signed by Myochin Munekane?

Ian, I suppose your Ietada is the one from your book? Very nice kabuto! 25 seems to be common for Saotome. These koboshi kabuto are so beautifull... I can't imagine how they could make them so perfect.

I just double-checked my Nagamichi, it has 31 rivets.

the nagamichi from christies 2009 has 31rivets per ken. Paul, there was a sale of a famous armor collection. That's the one I am looking for.

Paul, it was the famous october sale 2009, lot 79. My Nagamichi has 32 koboshi per ken. by the way, has anyone the Christies catalogue of 1985 for sale?

by the way John, I saw your beautiful Ietada last thuesday, he's fantastic. Never saw sharp koboshi like this. It almost hurts when you hold it in your hands. Guy, do you have pictures?

John, you are right. Most Saotome koboshi have only two rows on the frontplate. I know only 2 Saotome (Ienao and Iesada) with 3 rows. They did this because the fronsplate is doubled, witch is not the case with Myochin, Haruta and Bamen.

Paul, I once saw a very similar kabuto signed 長途, I have the feeling that it is an other smith or generation. Less perfect than the other one but still very good. Definitly the same school.

thanks for the compliment gentlemen, Paul, here some specific caracteristics of Nagamichi: -the shape of the hachi is very elegant, but different from Saotome, the so called san-saku or Myochin. I recognise them all on their shape, even when they are remounted. -perfect alignement of the koboshi, comparable with the best Saotome. -always 3 rows of koboshi on the frontplate. -boars eye on the maedate-dai -fine dark patina -no shiten no byo -often with russet iron shikoro, invisibly laced. There was an armor with Nagamichi for sale at Christies for sale in 2009 i think. They did not know it because the ukebari was closed. someone I know bought it and had a look inside... perfectly signed Nagamichi...

remarcable... Nagamichi is very easy to dertermine. also used several times: hidden odoshi on the shikoro. here is mine

Wow, serious stuff! Nagamichi is considered to be one of the best makers of koboshi kabuto during the edo period. Working dates are around 1700-1750. Unfortunately, he never datet his work. I have a very similar one.

one advice I will give on everybody who want to buy a kabuto or gusoku, buy something really good. You won't find this for a cheap price, but it will satify you instead of give you the permanent feeling you have to acquire something else. One time a lot of money is better than waisting 10 times a bit of money. My most expensive armor gives me every day satisfaction. My cheapest is for sale, but no one wants it.

make it possible for all Western-European Katchu people, now we have to go to Paris, New York or Tokyo. London would be great. I would like to come in contact with UK collectors. I know very few about them and their stuff. What about a European symposium once a year? During the Asia week perhaps?

maybe this was done to fit a special maedate..? do you have a picture of the koshimaki?

Thanks for the link. this seems to be a fine armor.

First impression: late muromachi Soshu Myochin. but, the shiten no byo aren't on the same plates left and right front?? do you have a picture of the koshimaki on the inside of the kabuto?

very nice work! congratulations!

I would say first part 18° century. Not cheap... but good.

I must have missed something, can someone give the correct link to the sale results?

could be momoyama. I do not remember I saw it in a book.

I see a lot of Kaga-Myochin influence, kirigane... nice set anyway.