uwe

Ron, I totally agree . However, we don`t know, if the koshirae belongs to the blade. Hence, it has little evidential value. At first glance, I thought I saw saki-sori and for the nakago I put it rashly towards shinto :? Franco, I can`t judge the cross section of the nicks by means of this pics. But shape and position pointing to kiri komi Uwe

Ian, if I get you right, than is that the reason for the blackish appearance of the scales between the "hole-rows" Uwe

Ian, very interesting explanation about an reused kanmuri no ita in this special case. Although, I`m not sure (happy) with the interpretation of the two black lines The lines marking exactly the overlapping area of two scales at each row. If the lines are leather kozane, then they appear to thin in my view. Maybe they are leather strings or bands of what purpose ever But even that sounds not really convincing to me. Thus, I had to carry on thinking about it :? Uwe

.....I`ll keep it as an Christmas secret until then (because of the surprise :D ). However, there had to be a Christmas tree int the background of your pics............just for physical evidence Cheers Uwe

You can divine the reddish color on the second lame on the left. Ian, it looks quite presentable to me. May we have pics from the whole set Uwe

Hi Franco, there is not much, speaking against the nicks are kiri-komi (except the one in pic 1415). What causes your opinion? Andrew, I can`t see shinae. The only vague flaw is that on the mune in pic 1415 as mentioned before All in all, a nice shinto wak, based on the pics. Worthwhile to be concerned about, IMHO Uwe PS: Missed mune-machi in the pics :?

Uwe

Hmm......it happens either very fast or he did it on purpose. Nevertheless, very interesting and a quite seldom event. Thanks for sharing. Are there more pics available? Uwe

Hi John, yes I mean this inverted cone shape. Sorry for my rusted English Cheers Uwe

I doubt that it was made from an shortened blade. The mune goes obconic and ends to thick for a normal blade Uwe

Ian, I was afraid that it turns out this way :? I`ve read they were horse-bit makers in earlier times.........Those Myochin were excellent "tradesman" I had to be more careful about such early publications. Thanks a lot! Eric, I think this kind of description is with intent and quite common for auction houses. Incidentally, the asking price is "formidable" Uwe

Ian, I had to admit though, that the Unkai where Haruta based. The embossing however, reminds me by some means of a later Myochin work. Hence, I stumbled over "Myochin Mitsuhisa" and "Myochin Mitsusada" both mentioned as members of the Myochin Unkai group (the first in the late 17th century; ref. Chappelear S.45-52) That would even be syncing with the use of sawari Cheers Uwe

Looks a bit Kaga to me. Thus the Unkai Myochin group would be an option. Furthermore, a Tatami do with this kind of kabuto is not seen so often. Very nice work Uwe

Eric, I hoped secretly you say so :D But the few I found do not match exactly ....as you can see. Ian, I actually thought that it was my own knowledge gap. I don`t expect that in case of tatami-armor obviously so little is known at all. Where to begin with the necessary research? Well, back to my armor. The karuta plates are not embossed. The chrysanths rather riveted to the plates and every single plate is marked on the back with a kanji in red lacquer. I assume it`s for the final position in the "arrangement". However, I`ll take some pics next week, because there are still other questions pending. Apart from that, I would like to see some pics from your armor too Cheers Uwe

Anthony, I`m pleased that you like it. Bought it from a kinsman of you Eric, thanks a lot for your comment. Indeed there are very little information out there. Maybe Ian is able to bring some light in the dark. Yep, the watagami cords are quite special, they are covered with the same leather as the edging of the do and kusazuri. The armor is under restoration this time (I get some help from a friend), so I can take the pics not until next week. What do you think about the chrysanths? Only embellishments, or mon? Cheers Uwe

Hello folks, under the heading of Tatami......my new acquisition Dealing with this one, two questions occurred to me. 1. When Tatami-armors came in fashion (use).......during the time of the "traveling Daimyos" ? 2. How were they stored......... hitsu boxes? I was very astonished as I noticed, that I nearly know nothing about the subject So any help would be much appreciated Uwe

That`s right Eric, also known as, "Pappenheimer" or "Lobster Tail Helmet". There where some customary developments in Hungary and Poland since about the middle of the 16th century. In the 17th century this "model" spreading out to the whole middle Europe as helmets for Hussars, Dragoons and Cuirassiers. To be used modified especially for Cuirassiers until the late 19th century......in France Uwe

Hi Ian, a very interesting Kabuto. My first impression was Saiga. Is this additional mail neck-guard original to the helmet? Uwe

..... Cheers Uwe

Based on this single pic, "okashi" dodgy condition without kabuto......... .....I wouldn`t buy it Uwe

Thank you Uwe

Hi Justin, interesting kabuto! Looks a bit like a late copy of that hineno-bachi, published in J.C. Carbonnier`s book, page 52/53. Congrats Uwe

It`s a pity! Really bad news Uwe

Sure thing! I`ll scan it next weekend! Uwe

Hi Justin, i have a short but incomplete list. It was attached to an lecture from E. Gilbertson (1892) named "The Genialogy of the Myochin". The content based, inter alia, on an Japanese publication from 1891 and of some Myochin documents as well...... Unfortunately in German language. Uwe