Jon Masutatsu

I was just wondering why someone who's claiming to be a Master of restoration,takes an authentic armour and completely changes it ? Is this not a prime example of 'cultural vandalism' as discussed by the author in another post, wich is now locked? If the armour was restored correctly it would be there for generations to enjoy. Is this your idea of a top notch restoration? To me it looks like a prop in a coffeeshop.

A compelling read throughout, wich made me the more curious about seeing the author's work with my own eyes. Is this the standard of your Teacher? Is this the standard of a Master Craftsman? Can't help but feeling a bit disillusioned..

Hi Matsunoki San , David Thatcher is the leading dealer in the UK. Note : that there is more stock than presented on the website. https://davidthatcher.co.uk/

It seems apparent that Mr. Mancabelli intends to pass off counterfeit certificates to members of the Nihonto Message Board!

The KNKBSK was formed as a verbal contract between Mr Mancabelli and Mr Thatcher. Mr thatcher was tasked with the organisation's design, marketing and promotion. Being widely publicised by Mr Thatcher via the internet. Website / Instagram/ Facebook Mr Mancabelli was tasked with creating a shinsa panel to appraise items submitted by collectors. In 2020 a press release was made which contained the following information about the shinsa judges: The Jury Our panel of judges is made up of individuals from various academic disciplines, including craftsmen, artisans, dealers, historians, archaeologists and museum curators, all of whom have a professional background in the field of armour and armour art. A regular assessment is carried out by a panel of three appointed and re-appointed judges, reviewed at the end of each financial year. A further two special advisers are added for the valuation of important and treasured items. Additional judges are selected on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate, and are entered into the database. In 2022 it was discovered that the jury was made up of four individuals, Mr Mancbeli, Mr Okimura, Mr Shi Shi Kura, Ms Seryna Yeap An investigation exposed the following: Mr Shi shi Kura is not an expert in Japanese Armour but, in fact, a delivery boy for Amazon living two doors away from Mr Mancbeli. Ms Seryna Yeap is a dealer of second-hand goods and has no level of expertise in Japanese Armour. For this reason, the contract between Thatcher and Mancabeli was terminated by Mr Thatcher. Thatcher legally owns the KNKBSK, and the organisation no longer offers a shinsa service to collectors. Mr Thatcher feels that this is best served by the Japanese Armor Society. Trade mark number UK00003837577 Registered Trademark for the Device (logo) and Trading Name Class 36. Appraisal (Art -);Art appraisal;Art work valuations [appraisals];Appraisal (Antique -);Antique appraisal;Antique appraisal services [valuation];Appraisals for insurance purposes;Repair cost evaluation [financial appraisal];Evaluation of objects of art;Valuations of works of art. Mancabelli has been issued a Cease And Desist but continues to pass off the organisation as his own to deceive others.

Congrats David ! Glad it found a good home.

I knew I had seen these amazing items before. After looking on the internet I spotted the seller. It's Mr. Robert Winter. Mr. Winter is the leading dealer in Japan, hence the quality of these armours.

Yes, indeed. But there are very nice and rare lot's available.

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/the-samurai-Japanese-arms-and-armour?lotFilter=AllLots

Hi Mark, If you want a quality restoration performed on antique Japanese armour , please contact David Thatcher at his UK based Koubou. https://yoroi.uk/ Dave works only with traditional materials. Jon.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26909/?bid_lot_no=5500878#/MR0_page=3&MR0_length=10&MR0_category=list&m0=0

Hi Uwe,Great to see you use the kabuto terminology sketch from the Watanabe Collection book by Trevor Absolon and David Thatcher! (Without permission).

Robert As Uwe mentioned this armour is worth some TLC. I could help you out if you should decide to restore the odoshi. Jon

Robert, this might help. https://www.amazon.com/Armuriers-Japon-XVIe-XVIIIe-si%C3%A8cles-Etude/dp/2840505797 https://denverartmuseum.org/article/6-ways-live-samurai

Robert !! You have a very rare and expensive menpo by Zesai ! Zesai collectors will pay around 16.000 euro for this. Well done what a fantastic menpo to match your kabuto ! If you want to find more information about Zesai read Buroway"s book, Jon

Finished lacing the fourth dan and the kata zuri no ita , thus completing the shikoro.

I have followed the auction of the Wakisaka armour out of interest since Dave Thatcher showed me his example back in the UK. Congratulations to the winner of this historically important armour ! Also I noticed that the hanpo on the recently sold armour is missing and I know for a fact that Dave has in his possesion two of the hanpo that belong to these armours. So who ever is the new proud owner now knows where to go to complete his gusoku ! Jon

Thank you Ganko!

The San Dan of the Shikoro has finally been done.

Thanks Chris ! Yes it is my intention to show my progress on this project from start to finish. Best regards Jon

I have proceeded to lace the first two lames.

I carefully removed the shikoro from the hachi making sure the shanks of the byo remained intact as well as the ukebari liner. Before proceeding to remove the disentregrating odoshi I made plenty of photo's of all angles for references. Stripping the odoshi ever so gently away from the lames so not to damage the urushi. Some holes were the rust particles merged with the odoshi became as hard as concrete and had to be drilled out. After this was done I treated the lames with kikko mol polishing paste and consolidated the hairline cracks.

Making the odoshi to the correct thickness and width for your armour is now a possibility as it is produced in the UK.The colouring we use are made of natural organic pigments.Also our odoshi is pre stretched so there is no distortion. Matching the colour of the existing old odoshi on your armour is an option but bear in mind that this process requires a lot of testing and is needless to say very time consuming.