Thanks, Piers!
The inscription is a tad unusual and differs from the “commonly seen”. I’m also not sure if 土 is pronounced “tsuchi” or “do” in this case?!
No clue whether it’s authentic….
Well, that’s the real deal!
To bore you with the long description: “Tetsu sabiji nuri ressei me-no-shita men”. This specific type is sometimes also called “Nara men” in the West, referring to its place of origin.
Nick (Ricupero) is always a good address 👍
Mizuhiki is an ancient Japanese art form that uses a special cord created from rice paper. So I don’t think it has something to do with water.
I finde Piers interpretation really charming 🙂
As mentioned above, a well made kabuto!
The view inside and the overall appearance might support the date and I stick with my assumption that it was probably never been “completed”.
Open for other opinions and comments…
I can’t tell, Colin.
The manufacturing date is quite late. Maybe it never had a customer, so no need to sign the work. The patina is very evenly no wear, no signs of a once mounted shikoro or tehen no kanamono…however, I don’t know.
BTW, it’s not that uncommon that helmets, although of good quality, weren’t signed by the maker. Mumei, so to say, for what reason ever. Occasionally you also find merely dates or/ and invocations are inscribed…
For the sake of completeness, the date is “万延元年十一月吉日” (on a lucky day 11th month first year Man’en = 1860). The smith, like oli pointed out, is “月山貞吉作之” (Gassan Sadayoshi kore o saku = Gassan Sadayoshi made this).
Judging school is very difficult on this mask. No clear features are pointing somewhere…
I agree with Luc about the period and quality, though. Can you show us some additional pics…side view, underside of the chin etc?!