uwe

Thanks Morita san! "Munesada" is possible. But then it should be "...Minbu..." instead of "...Shikibu..." don't you think?

My guess is, "Myochin Shikibu Ki no Munechika saku"!

Just noticed this thread. Damn, he was younger than me. This makes me sad and also thoughtful..... RIP Thierry! My condolences.

Yep! Have a look at the auction result.....

If the following character (cut off) belongs to it, this kanji might have had a diffrent pronunciation....

Saw this writing for "shu" befor. I think on a kabuto, for "Esshû" province....

I remember some pics, taken in an certain Japanese museum. Several blades there, were also coverd in red/brown lacquer.

Hi Ed, the nengo is a bit odd. Can't also make out the last (or last two) kanji?! Given the "kakitsu" reading is right and considering shape and state of the nakago, it is quite possible!

Last kanji for the nengo seems "haru" = "Spring"... Some doubts about the "Kami" reading of the Mei?! Maybe "ue" or "jou" The latter can also mean "superior quality".

"Kakitsu" seems matching. Nice buy, congrats Ed!

The katchu-bunnies will be there in May

Dare a guess..... "Sanami Nyudō Nobuie" ?!

Hi Dave, no clue how to do the pictures properly. But you probably can ask Uwe G! He's a member here and a very good (and talented) nihonto photographer.

Dave, I'm pretty sure it's "Izumi no Kami ??", like Steve's reading suggested. The last two kanji are more or less illegible for me. Better pics needed, also for your "boshi" call!

From Sendai over Kaga to Hosokawa.....like the tansu`s

Thanks for the closeup's Guido! Very nice fittings and tsukamaki! Cool displayed gusoku BTW :-)

Ok, something for the display call.....

Hello Dreg, the "digital enhancement" of the mei is little helpful. Can you rotate the second picture and try it again with oblique light? Furthermore, it's important to have a view of the whole nakago/blade.....

Magnified the pic once again. I have to admit, it's far closer to "Tembun" than to "Tenshō".

"Tensho Ni Nen Hachi Gatsu Hi", if I'm not wrong.

Thanks for the meeting report Uwe! Seems that I should attend again someday.....

Welcome Benjamin. You will find companions here, wandering the Nihonto path!

Christian, Ian explained almost all important points in terms of displaying an Japanese armor. However, what I like to add is a thing about the haidate (apron). On most haidate of some age, the "belt part" turns fragile. So only one sturdy point remains commonly. It's the cord loop in the middle between the two parts. You can use it, to support the fastening and taking weight from the "belt". As a possibility, you can drill a hole in the bottom plate of the stand and insert a wooden pin. Thus, you have a mounting point to put the loop over. Last but not least, I want to echo Jan and Malcolm. Avoid sharp edges and corners! Enjoy!

Hi Christian, I can't actually recommend this stand for permanent display. There are several reasons. Your armor includes an sendai-do, which is quite heavy I assume. According to my experience, this type of stands tend to be a bit unstable, like Guido said. So fixing the parts properly, would be a task itself. Sry, wife is calling ...... I'll come back to you this evening.

Hi Quilty (?), usually it's not very tricky to put an armor on it's stand. Although, one has to consider some important points, to prevent any damage. Can you post pics of the accompanying stand?!