Luc T

Dear Gary, you bought a fine Muromachi kabuto, papered by the NKBKHK as koshu tokubetsu, This is not nothing. Takemura sensei was a member of the Shinsa team, and he is familiar with Yoshimichi’s work. I trust his opinion. Yoshimichi is one of the sasaku, one of the 3 best kabuto smiths ever. About different generations, nothing is known. There is however a difference in his work, what does me think of a production by the master himself, and a production of his workshop., but this is only an assumption. Since it is a grandmaster, you should expect a masterpiece. I saw only +-5 of there incredible masterpieces during my career. I can not judge yours on these pictures, but at first glance it is not impossible that it is made by the master himself, or first generation (according some theories.)

He made some fine copies, but always with a modern touch. One of the last katchushi. So, during the last 10 months the armor community lost Bernard le Dauphin, last weekend Jean Saporta, and now Miura san. it’s fall in katchuland.

Interesting set. I think in the direction of the Nagasone

Good observation. This sorts out Yashu. Also no Saotome, Haruta, Bamen.

The characteristics point towards east Japan. However determining a specific school is difficult. Yashu or Soshu are possible. Did you check the frontplate?

This sale was not a succes. The sold lots however reached sometimes crazy prices.

If you want to compare: http://www.saotomebook.com

This is 100% not a Saotome

The Mene armor was also interesting because it was published in 1913, when the collection was sold. A good pedigree is worth something. If you want to buy, but you feel a bit unsure, the nkbkhk papered armors will give you the comfort of a screening by Japans top experts. And the quality of a Saotome kabuto never lies. Th red urushi one (4) however is not a ‘Saotome and nr 3 has a poor quality for the school.

The jujo armors and nkbkhk papered kabuto will be good, I know how they are judged. Have a look at them, nourish your eyes with good stuff and you will learn. I am curious to hear your thoughts gentlemen. Don’t let yourself distract by fantasies and flashy counterparts.

The level is a bit low for Sotheby's if you ask me. Former auctions were better, with more realistic estimates. This is rather Bonhams’ level.

Nice sashimono and wakidate. They look a bit similar though. Coincidence?

Btw, I read a post somewhere about an unexperienced dealer who thought this is a late edo hachi. I think the details speak for themselves

More than a year later, the restoration of the kabuto is finished. First we made a study about it, under the supervision of Nishioka sensei, the No 1 restorer in Japan. After a couple of inquiring months, the work started. The soft metal work was restored by Nishioka’s student R. Soanes. Then urushi and odoshi was taken care of by Zenon Vandamme here in Belgium. I was lucky to find perfect matching kuwagata. Here is the result, with a lot of respect for this 15th century relic.

I think we have to deal with an Ichiguchi kabuto (the koboshi). Robert, do you have a front view?

Hello Robert, two interesting hachi you have there. do you have better pictures? The mei is blurry. the second one is a Nagasone style nanban kabuto, strong Chinese influence

The oshitsuke no ita points in the direction or an early production.

The style of the mei isn’t Myochin at all. Some Echizen smiths signed on a similar way

Our fifth Katchū is on the road for our members. Enjoy!

Edo for sure, Iwai is a good guess (but still a guess) nice.

Translation of the printed text: This is a head-shaped helmet with a dark blue thread dignity and a large nail headstall. This helmet has a large nailhead stand, which is one of the designs seen in the kobo of the Sengoku-Momoyama period, but most of them are made of wood. The breast plate of the body is decorated with a dragon in gold lacquer. As the headstand is eye-catching, the body is only decorated with gold maki-e on the breastplate, so that the overall impression is well balanced. Hori Hidemasa was a close associate of Nobunaga, and later served under Hideyoshi, and was loved for his talent, but died at a young age during the Odawara War. He was known for his skill in battle and was called "Kyutaro the master".

Special….. ouch….

Well. It’s a fine set, but top is something else in my opinion. The kabuto looks like a muromachi munehisa, which is good. The menpo is a copy of Munesuke’s or Muneakira’s work by Munetaka, good but not brilliant. The rest of the armor is Daimyo quality, but i have seen (a lot) better than this. The prices were top, that’s sure!

Nice dragons on the muna ita