Iekatsu

I agree with Uwe, the Hachi looks like it could have some age. Could we please get some images of the front, rear and underside of the Hachi/kabuto and the inside of the Menpo?

If someone wants to study the construction methods there are plently bare Hachi, or kabuto with compromised Ukebari that can be purchased, I am appalled that ranking members of the Japanese armour society are casually advocating vandalism, we are after all only temporary custodians of these objects.

Ruben, The images are a little rough, but I would say it is the same armour that was posted by Luc earlier in the thread.

The above is an armour model from the showa period, it has no bearing on the topic. But in the same search the other components for the armour appear to match.

A common practice does not mean its a good practice, it's generally done with very little care, primarily to facilitate sale. Given that there is a large portion of signed kabuto that do not have windows in the Ukebari it was clearly not a universal practice. A borescope can be inserted through the Tehen to look into the interior without damaging the Ukebari.

I don't think we should be condoning the practice of cutting windows in Ukebari.

Yas, The work was likey massed produced, given the number of extant examples. The same style of Tsuba are also found in Maru-gata and there are also different motifs and bespoke custom peices that appear to come from the same workshop. As for the age, dating anything pre Edo is pretty tricky as there are so few dateable reference points, that said the Kantei points appear to be consistent with the attribution. All the best, Thomas

Yas, The Tsuba you posted with the fox/squirrel and wave motif are not modern, they are early San-mai and utilise stamped plates in their construction (quite often from the same dies). The marks highlighted on the Seppa-dai are actually rivets that hold the plates in place, this variety was likely produced in a single workshop, given the consistency in technique and construction. They are generally attributed to late Muromachi-Momoyama period. Take a look at the following thread for more examples: All the best, Thomas

Hey Luca, I see what you mean, I thought it may have been a partial stamp with a boarder. Kind regards, Thomas

Looks like "Ten", see below: http://www.users.on.net/~coxm/?page=TsubaII Kind regards, Thomas

This is Kinokuniya mentioned by Uwe above: http://www.kinokuniya.tv/

Luc, What makes you think that the lower section of the Mabezashi was added later?

Hello Dick, The armour was manufactured by a company called Marutake Sangyo CO,LTD, they started manufacturing armour in the 1960's, primarily for film/tv. Given that it was purchased 15 years ago and that some of the features are still in production today I would say that it likely dates to the 90's.

Hello Grev, The Tare is likely not original and actually looks like it could be re-purposed lames from Gessan, it is unlikely that it was a period alteration.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but that is a reproduction and has nothing to do with the imperial family.