uwe

Any reaction, Bruce?

Welcome Stefan!

Nothing important John. Only “自身銘である”...what I guess means, there is the own signature of the maker (artist).

For sure Andrew and I totally agree! Unfortunately, we record a faster and faster growing gap between the demand and the availability of “resources”. This applies equally to sword as well as armor restoration and will become a real task, already in the near future....

Yes Jean, “光” is possible. My first thought was Tadamitsu, but I’m not convinced at all....

Well, now #277, #358, #421, #448 and parts of #277 are left. So let the guesswork begin...

Hello Jason, it's everytime difficult to fix a price for something in this field. Actually there is a saying...."it's worth what somebody is willing to pay..." Not talking about the armor above (!!!), but you should get a presentable piece from the lower end of the scale for slightly under $5.000,-. But be aware it depends mainly of the condition. So condition (type and other minor details) can lead to significant price diffrences! Another important aspect is, of course, taste! Listen to your gut feeling and don't buy only because it's suppostly cheap!

Moriyama san, am I right in the assumption that both readings are possible for #288?! Chinkyū (珍久) also read as Yoshihisa?

Fuchi is quite nice....and made by “宗孝” (Munetaka, 1798-1859)!

John, I think the missing link for #280 is “内”. Hence “Echizen ju Kinai saku”! ...and for #444 it could be “萩” (Hagi)!

A great project Dale (I’ve been doing something similar for armor for some time) So let me start with #248: “武州住正方” (Bushū ju Masakata). ....ok, fast yet #288 seems to be: “珍久” (Chinkyū)

Maybe that helps a bit....

Hi Daniell, your sword was obviously made by: “上総介藤原兼重” (Kazusa no Suke Fujiwara Kaneshige). Please don’t touch the blade and leave it alone for the time being. Our sword scholars here will guide you further...

It reads: “宮口國護作之” (Miyaguchi Kunimori Kore wo Tsukuru)

For further info try https://www.google.de/search?q=koshirae+markus+sesko&client=safari&hl=de-de&sxsrf=ALeKk02ixQWIPlVX-1JbrNEHie3CvgegNA:1618810926948&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=HG-nXYJ_plaeGM%2CP2OXBVhO9YsEoM%2C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTIVJJbYjTk2UcgcToNiuoDNMzQOA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiK_4jSzInwAhWi2uAKHSVXA-QQ9QF6BAgXEAE&biw=1269&bih=903&dpr=2#imgrc=HG-nXYJ_plaeGM

Hi Grev, if you already have an PayPal account, you will be ask for your login data after filling in the order form of the museum and clicking on the payment method “PayPal”....

Indeed! For example the “戊辰戦争” (Boshin sensō / Boshin war) or the “西南戦争” (Seinan sensō / Satsuma rebellion)...to name only two!

Hello Oliver, the mei reads "明珎紀宗周作" (Myôchin Ki Munechika saku. The other reading of the name is Munekane) The nengo is "嘉永セ年甲寅二月日" (A day in February Kaei 7 = 1854, "甲寅" is the zodiac date = Kinoe Tora) Something more about this smith.....

無銘 - Mumei 伝 (越前 来) - Den (Echizen Rai) Followed by the measurements....etc.

This unholy practice goes for a while on the market and seems to become more and more common in certain dealer circles. They “destroy” not only the armor itself, but also the whole historical context of the piece. All for the sake of (little more) profit....

Hi Johan, like Moriyama San already pointed out, “於” means at/on in this case.

Oh, just noticed your post here Bob....

It’s “失上光廣” (Yagami Mitsuhiro) Can’t make out the other side completely. Starts with “長崎國住人(弘).... and ends with...彫之” (Nagasaki no Kuni Jūnin.....Kore o Horu)....