uwe

Yes Luc, Kanto might fit!

Hi Jonas, as mentioned above, unfortunately I’m not aware of such type or style. It might be a generic term, like for example Kaga-bō, Etchū-bō or Nara-bō, but I’ve never heard of that (as far as I can remember)…

As John said above, it’s a decent menpō which seemingly dates back to the (later) Edo period. I admit that I can’t comment about the “Sendai characteristics”, since I actually don’t know “Sendai-masks” as such. The lacing, uhm….frankly spoken, the lacing is not well made, and not just in terms of color!

Thanks, Andy! Unfortunately I’m not on insta, but the Iwai were widely known for their fine leather work, indeed….

Late, but good!

Thanks for your kind words, Bob! You can pm me what you have imagined the price to be if you are unsure... Greetings to my namesake! Uwe

Hello Bob, hmm, after rereading my comments I’ve to admit that they’re a tad too technical, indeed…. To sum up the above, I dare say that it seems a matching set (only suneate missing) that can be placed in the proximity of the Hosokawa family, worn by them or their retainers. Although this type might be later adopted by other families, the creating of the basic model goes back to Hosokawa Sansai (or Tadaoki, 1563-1646). As you said, the whole is worth a restoration. It is in quite acceptable condition so a “touch up” wouldn’t cost a fortune. The problem is, that there are very few professional restorers outside of Japan. I actually only know two, here in Europe! Unfortunately, my very limited space (tiny house) is already occupied by armors and helmets. Already too much in the eyes of my beloved wife (😢)….. Cheers Uwe

Now to the last piece of the set. As mentioned above, it is a yokohagi nimai-dô, i.e. a two-part cuirass in which the lamellae are arranged horizontally. Judging by the pictures, the armor plates are made of hardened leather (nerikawa), except the side plates under the armpits (wakiita) and the respective upper plates (munaita/oshitsuke no ita). These are probably made of iron. Unfortunately, I can't see if they're covered in leather or only coated with urushi. The lacing is also made of leather (here, e-gawa) and shows two different patterns (perhaps a restoration/repair?). On the shoulder bridges (watagami) is an unarmored collar (eri-mawashi) attached, in which the same carrier fabric (ieji) as on the "nigu" was used. There is still a lot to be said about the special features of the construction, but I think that would lead too far... Here's a comparison to the armor type I was reffering to in my initial post:

I haven't been on that point yet, Barry.... This trimming is called "ue-kuma-ge" (kuma = bear) and in this case it's on the kusazuri not on the haidate

Well, let's start... The helmet is an Etchû zunari-kabuto. It's distinctive shape is typical for the Hosokawa clan. Also the hanpô, an Etchû-bô, fits with that. Attached to this type of zunari-kabuto is usually a shikoro without fukigaeshi, at which the lames are covered in thin leather (a technic called kawa-tsuzumi). Aditionally is the lowermost lame edged with a narrow leather band (kawa-fukurin). As evident in your case! I will continue with sangu and dô later on... Ok, the sangu. The sangu consists of sleeves (kote), thigh protection (haidate) and shin protection (suneate). Since the latter is probably missing, one would have to speak of nigu here. Regardless, due to the style, kote, like haidate, can also be categorized as Etchû. In addition, all parts have the same base fabric (ieji) and thus forming an original set that belongs together. So far so good, the cuirass, a Yokohagi nimai-dô, is a bit strange and needs more detailed considerations....tomorrow...

A lot pics! So you already managed to disassemble the armor, good! I will be on a symposium this weekend, so gimme some time… The “tanto” is made of a shortened, originally significantly longer, blade and the whole seems to be a later marriage. But I leave this to our sword experts here!

It’s quite easy to disassemble the set, Bob. The stand itself looks wrong, hence the display appears sloppy. About the sword and the armor. It’s quite unusual that the lacing (in this case leather?!) corresponds with the cover of the kozuka slot on a saya, but that not necessarily creates a connection between the tanto and the particular armor! Too many questions have to be answered before. For example, is the odoshi-ge original, is this gusoku a matching set, do sword and armor are match in time…etc. As mentioned before, we need more pics (also from the tanto in question) to make a proper judgment!

Hello Bob, the armor bears some typical features of an Hosokawa clan gusoku, at first glance. Can you please provide more pictures (also from each single part)?

Hmm, seems to be cotton….Sry, can’t help. You probably can try here: https://www.namikawa....com/product-list/25 or https://www.etsy.com...ito-10mm-10m-samurai

Ah, I see…

Priced accordingly and mentioned as “new”. Hence no problem!

Strange “jū”…

Why do you think it is (was) Iwai, Andy?

You are right Jussi! The descriptions of both armors on their site bearing also some failures and misinterpretations, but not so off as at the menpō.

This time another “expert” enters the game! But what do you complaining, it’s absolutely worth the current bid ($6,-)….🤓

Patrice, I admit that it can be very difficult at times to judge an item only by pictures (often even not very meaningful pictures as well). Especially when you have to do it under time pressure… We all know the story of a well known collector (and expert in the field; at least in my eyes) pinned on top of the katchū section 😉 I guess the main problem is the “expert label” in (more or less) obvious cases. So, if we can be of any help, let us know…. Disclaimer: I’m not an expert, but we can share opinions!

Pics are a bit blurry, Bruce. But I think the tester is “山野加右衛門ロロ” (Yamano Ka’emon?? + kao). Can’t make out the last two …maybe Nahgahisa (永久). Cut through two bodies on the 8. month, 19th day 1664.

Hi Jean, do we see “二十” (1945) ?

Hmm, based on the signature the Munenao from “嘉永” (1848-1853) comes to mind…..(without warranty!). Well, no pics, no further info!

Dobrée has nice kanji tables 👍