Shogun8

This kabuto is reminiscent of a Nagasone.

Adding to Uwe's and Arthur's comments, the angle of the koshimaki (the plate encircling the base of the hachi to which the vertical plates are attached) would suggest a hineno-jikoro like the one shown in your third picture, with a more vertical shape. If your koshimaki was originally made to accommodate a manju or ko-manju jikoro (like the ones shown in your first two pictures, with a more horizontal orientation), you should be able to see vertical cuts in the plate where the resulting flanges would have been folded downwards.

What an amazing, deeply insightful and entertaining article! Thanks so much for sharing!

The JAS Grand Tour in November will spend a day at Oyamazumi - akin to Mecca for katchuphiles!

I think that the very name - Mogami - speaks to its origin from Mōgami in the Tohoku part of Japan. The Uesugi had several examples and of course Yoshiaki Mogami wore his namesake dou. As has already been discussed and illustrated, the mogamido is also clearly a precursor to the Yukishita dou (itself a prototypical product of Eastern Japan), with the angular riveted okegawa dou being the transitional piece in between. Several Japanese books reference the Tohoku origins of the mogamido.

That's a really great analysis for the "raison d'etre" and design of the okitenugui, Arthur. It's very interesting to hear how its design features might relate to its usage by gunners.

Top quality items.

In his book about the armours of the Uesugi, Takemura-san writes that many if not most Sengoku armours - even those of daimyo class - incorporated different elements that were not original to each other. Inevitable and understandable during a time of war when efficiency and practicality were paramount. Nevertheless, many of these armours - especially from the Uesugi - managed to still be beautiful even though not homogenous.

Thank you for sharing a glimpse into the life of a legend.

Looks a little crude, doesn't have the quality I would expect...

Fantastic find - bravo!

Bingo!

Does anyone know if the dates for Dai Token Ichi 2023 have been announced? If not, when is this usually announced?

One more to add for kabuto tatemono: kashiradate (crest on top of the helmet, often mounted in the hachimanza).

It looks great! I wouldn't touch it.

And I think it's actually signed! Hard to believe that anyone would want to put their name to this thing.

Always a pleasant discovery to find that your item is signed unexpectedly.

Very nice, David - congrats!

Agreed.

Very nice - thanks for sharing. Do I see a Nagasone kabuto?

This fragility also contributes to their rarity, since so many did not survive. As both Thomas and Piers have said, good period maedate are like the proverbial hen's teeth. Since they rarely appear, there really is no dealer that would "specialize" in them. Kino is your best bet, but even then, you have to be there when one arrives because it's often immediately sold to one of their regular customers. On each trip to Japan, I scour the dealers (including Kino) and antique shops and manage to score the occasional piece. Good luck in your quest!

I think the correct tariff code is 9706.00.00.90 - at least this is the one I have been using for many years without issue.

Hi Krystian, Welcome to the world of katchu! I think you have done very well for your early acquisition and the kabuto and menpo are well-matched. The kabuto is not a common zunari type but I'm not sure what to make of the fixed wakidate. Regarding the shikoro, it's difficult to say whether or not it's original to the hachi, but judging by the fit and style, it seems original to me.

I did not have the privilege of meeting him and only admired from afar his knowledge, erudition, commitment and willingness to share. Nevertheless, his passing is a tremendous shock and his presence and outsized influence will be missed. Life's too short.

Somewhat skimpy proof perhaps, but the fit of the tsunamoto of the maedate with the receiving haraidate lends credence to the theory that the maedate and kamon on the fukigaeshi are original to this kabuto.