Chishiki

I didn’t know the Hyotan was connected to Hideyoshi. I wonder why......

Hi. Another favourite. Not sure what this would say about the wearer. Click on the image. Mark

I dance better after a few drinks.

Hi. Here is my personal favourite maedate. An Edo period sake gourd. If a maedate relects the personality of the wearer, this is my kind of man. Mark

Hi Mauro, thank you very much for translating the paper. I cannot find anything about this maker as Naganao, maybe he was a swordsmith or is an unknown maker. It is a small collecting world. I hope it is nice when I receive it. Regards Mark

Hi. I am trying to find information on this tsuba signed naganao saku or does it read eisho saku? It measures 8.7 x 8.3 x 5.5. There is a hozon paper confirming the mei but I cannot read the rest of the attribution. Any help to identify the maker or school would be greatly appreciated. Mark

Hi Ian, here are some pics of the chain mail belt. Interestingly it has a pocket that would have had a draw string, perfect for keeping valuables such as gold/silver. A money belt of sorts. Mark

Hi Ian. I have this koshiate that bought a few years back. Rarely seen these days. Mark

Thanks John. Does the hozon paper give any info? Thanks Mark

Hi Ian. That is exactly what it is. It didn’t come with that armour, it was a separate purchase about 4 or 5 years ago. I haven’t seen another one since. They make a lot of sense for protecting a vulnerable area and the construction of mine has some interesting points such being able to store things inside. I will take some pics for you tomorrow. I don’t know why they are not seen much, I suppose they were and are overlooked as being not important. I bought mine on ebay from a Japanese seller. Thanks for the compliment Mark

Thanks Chris. Attached is photo of rhe same armour set up in an art gallery. I like it too. Mark

Hi. I read the mei as Naganao, but that sounds odd. Is it read some other way? Also is there an attribution of school or group on the hozon paper? Thanks. Mark

Hi John. If you find that info again I would appreciate it if you could send me a link or where it may be found. Mark

Thanks Chris.

Hi Uwe. I agree it’s an unusual arrangement. I don’t think in this case it was to do with archery etc, particularly with such a wide shikoro. I think this was always a kabuto for show. It may have been the fukigueshi were detachable to simply change style/designs. It would certainly would have looked impressive with grand wakidate. Attached is a photo of a helmet by the same maker which was in a previous Bonhams sale. Mark

Thanks Uwe. I assume the posts were for folding fukigueshi. ..... i would appreciate any comments you can give me. Mark

Hi Uwe. Just took some pics for you. Fukigueshi not attached. Mark

Thank you gentlemen. That’s great. Mark

Hi. I am trying to work out the mei of this momonari kabuto. It was really hard to get access and I had to take a photo of the camera screen as I don’t have a card reader. I hope someone can help. Regards Mark

Thank you gentlemen. Mark

Hi folks. Does Hataya have a website or can someone here please give me their address. Thanks. Mark

That is really interesting Ian. Thanks for the info. I will twke some more pics of it tomorrow. Interestingly it constructed with 6 plates. It is a piece of precision, the work is technically excellent. Shakudo fukerin all around. Mark

Uwe made reference to my Kaga Dou in a previous thread. Here are a couple of pics. Mark

This armour has been boxed and out of sight for months. It feels great to have it in view again. I really dislike handling them as they are fragile things as we all know. Luckily the silk on this one is still sturdy. Always kept away from UV light. Btw I know the mempo isn’t attached correctly, will be redone Mark