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Hmm, it might mean “井上眞改” (Inoue Shinkai)…the last kanji looks rather “光”, though. Michael is right, it’s upside down!

Not much to doubt about the “set”. Authentic, yes! Composite, most likely! Condition, nothing that can’t be fixed, but might be considered in financial terms (kote needs most work, I guess)…

Mei seems to be “忠吉” (Tadayoshi)…

Over time, this ring lost its purpose and later on you can find smaller agemaki attached to it every now and then. So nowadays actually a “agemaki no kan”, Piers

Or “kasa jirushi no kan” Sometimes they popping up at Yahoo, so shouldn’t be a problem to complete! The second one is a mystery…

Good kabuto, nice maedate! One of the two holes at the back is quite strange, though…

We had this a while back Robert but surprisingly couldn’t find a match. The same now…. There is, however, a similar one where the character 大 is differently written and associated to “大能” (Ōnou family).

What about 披 for the first, Steve?

I can trace the mon (隅切り角檜扇), at least a very similar one, back to “山口” (Yamaguchi), “望月” (Mochidzuki, several readings), “栗脇” (Kuriwaki, reading unclear) and “小花和” (Obanakawa, reading unclear)… Won’t help much, I afraid!

Ahh, that makes more sense

A very nice hoshi-kabuto, obviously of high quality The shikoro was probably replaced at some point, but goes well with the hachi. Wonder about the “Mino-signature”…do you have a picture?

Guess in this case it reads “Minamoto Yoshichika no saku”…hope I’m not too nitpicking

Seems to be signed by “直道” + kao (Naomichi).

Well done, Steve I sought for alternatives as well, but my source didn’t spit out anything…

攵was clear but I also thought it must be 阝on the left….

To answer your question, Lex. Yahoo has its pitfalls to avoid, like other online auctions as well. But from time to time (if you are lucky ) good items popping up. Best you only jump in with some experience in the background, though… Anyway, there are some trustworthy dealers regularly selling on this platform (Yahoo/Jauce). “Bellbottom” for example! You can also use a proxy, like Kelly. He has a list of recommended dealers! On a side note: I stumbled over a very rare armor on Yahoo some years ago and, with a little luck, was eventually able to add it to the collection

I echo Piers! Even within your budget you can get decent armor, but let me add some hints: Pay attention to the condition! Is the set displayable as is (i.e., can it be assembled like it is)? Especially a look at the lacing, the fabric and the cords is useful. Missing or scratched lacquer is not a problem (only optical), but the remaining areas of the coating should be stable. As a rule of thumb, if the armor “talks to you” it’s the right one…

Yes, it is a “commemorative date”, as mentioned above by Mark, Steve and Michael! To make it a bit complicated. The leather is called shōhei-gawa (a type of e-gawa, i.e. printed leather). Often used as chikara-gawa on haidate, framed by fusegumi, in order to reinforce the fabric part…. The date printed on it is allegedly the date it was first introduced in the 14th century…

It’s like with the forest and the trees….if you stare too long at something 🤓

Guess we getting closer…me and my eyes are tired. Next try tomorrow…🥱

Yes, well spotted -Otagi gun- 👍 About the craftsman, I’ve played with “保慶” (Yasuyoshi) with little conviction, though… BTW, the character above 住 might be 束…?

Hi John, I agree with 城州 about the 6. but still no success with the rest of the inscription. I can make out single characters, but can’t get them together… What you guys think about 1. “江戸住重行作” ?? I have strong doubts about the red one….

Seems so “植村宗壽口“. But can’t get the rest… For 2. I have “会陽正阿弥藤助信忠” (Aiyo Shōami Tousuke Nobutada). The first kanji has a different writing!

Let’s begin… 4 “忠時作” (Tadatoki saku, Akasaka school) 5 “就信” + kao (Narinobu, late Umetada school) 1, 2 and 3 I can partly read, but struggling with one kanji on each at the moment…

Hmm, is the dō laced with leather? Not sure about the shikoro anymore…same lacing as the dō?