uwe

The one above is called “Migi mitsudomoe” (three right oriented tomoe). The two below are might be “Maru ni karabana” (Chinese flower in a ring)…

That’s a good question, John! Jingasa are the often overlooked stepchildren of the armor family, maybe except the very shiny ones of high quality… Although l guess a lot of collectors will have one or two in their collection, very little was written about the subject. Unfortunately, it seems that I can’t answer your question due to the lack of references. I would be happy to learn whether there is a serious publication dealing with this?! BTW, the second picture looks like a leather piece reinforced with iron parts???

Hi Gary, I think you can’t assign this armor as a lump sum to a certain school. Maybe the individual parts like the helmet, the mask or the kote?! Usually most armors are assembled from parts of different workshops/ schools. The Iwai were known as skilled in this field. On the other hand, there are also exceptions out there. Gusoku which allow conclusions to be drawn about the school or craftsmen…

Guess you are right 👍

Still struggling with the “Mitsu” part on the right…

It might be “吉岡因幡介” (Yoshioka Inaba no Suke).

“奈良利光” (Nara Toshimitsu + kao).

Seems to start with “服部…and ends with…吉謹作” Too late for the middle part this evening 😴

As a wild guess, I would suggest “戸田彦左衛門” (Toda Hikozaemon)…

You can also put some padding into the sleeves (kote) so that they get a more “arm like” shape. Cut two cardboard tubes of about 8-10cm diameter, length normally 20-25cm, and wrap the shin guards (suneate) around. The shoulder guards (sode) are sitting a bit high. That’s probably because the bar of the stand is too long. It should be about 36-38cm… Guess that will enhance your display!

Will be there for the third time… There are several hotels in the proximity of the venue, but you have to book early! Carel V is the most convenient, but quite expensive… Guess I know this collector, Brian

Yes, date (1538) fits for Fusamune… Famous maker if legit! Can you please post some more pictures in the katchū section?

Welcome Marcus! Looks good at first glance. As mentioned by Brian, probably a Ken. The fuchi is signed “大森英秀作“ (Ōmori Teruhide saku). Can’t say if the mei is legit. More pics are necessary…

I know what you mean Luc. Also the red lacquer inside (and it’s condition) might point Edo. On the other hand, Iida has published a similar one and placed it Momoyama or earlier?!

Hard to determine the age without having it in hand, Alain. If forced I would say not later as Momoyama… Not very satisfying, I know! Maybe a candidate for our shinsa in Utrecht scheduled in June

Nice hanpō regardless of age, Alain! One small correction. The three-stage tare is not made of hon-kozane, but of iyozane. A subsequent development of armor scales…

“尾府住人則亮作”. Like Ed said, only “nin” is to add!

Maybe “親先作” (Chikasaki? saku). But couldn’t find him…

Edited my post at the same time as I got Takayama, Moriyama San. Glad you confirmed… Do you think it is followed by a name?

Happy New Year, Damon! Right side states “水戸士” (Mito shi). Struggling with the left. There is an idea, but I’ve problems to get the pieces together at the moment. Lower most is most probably 造, whereas it seems to start with “高山”…?!

盛世 (Moriyo) on the left!

I don’t think this armor fits in the category “form over function”! A certain gap between the shikoro and upper the edge of the sode is almost unavoidable. In this case, the uppermost plate of the sode (kanmuri no ita) is executed as ori-kanmuri no ita (angled). That should add some additional protection. We also have to keep in mind that the neck of the wearer was often covered by an armored collar (eri-mawashi). Lovley gusoku, BTW!

Variant A is not that bad. Variant B, however, seems to be a better match…at least for my untrained eye

Nice helmet of really good quality! Here some info about the maker: Yoshihisa (義久) Myôchin Yoshihisa (明珍義久), late Edo period, lived in Mito (水戸) in Hitachi province. He was a student of the armorer Aizu-Myôchin Unai (右内) who was hired by the Mito-daimyô Tokugawa Nariaki (徳川斉昭, 1800-1860) to instruct the local armorers of the fief. In this sense Nariaki bestowed the character for “Yoshi” (義) to the armorers and Yoshihisa was one of them. Hey signed “Suifu-jû Myôchin Ki no Yoshihisa” (水府住明珍紀義久). Usually the clan name “Ki” was only given to students of the Edo-Myôchin main line, but Unai's master Muneyasu (宗保) also did not belong to the main line but as he was an outstanding craftsman it is assumed that his use of the clan name Ki was tolerated by the main line. Thus he probably also gave this name to his own students.