Shogun8

Not to my knowledge. Andy Mancabelli does restoration work and he sometimes returns home stateside occasionally, but he's mostly in Japan.

Attribution to Uda Kunimune

Barry, Was it a tanto, by any chance?

Hi Simon, This armour is from the Wakisaka clan.

Here's another interesting box - this time a kabuto bitsu, covered in leather:

I agree with your theory, Piers. I would also add that many karabitsu that one sees today that are very fancy, with makie, inlay, mon, etc., are from the Meiji period and made primarily for decorative purposes. I think that true armour karabitsu (such as those made for o-yoroi) were actually quite simple. The one from the Met is indeed a beautiful example, but I think it was not made for an armour because it's a little too small (it's only 13" tall and I think that's with the legs) for that purpose.

Very interesting boxes, Piers - thanks for sharing! I can see that you are also a box aficionado, as I have been for as long as I can remember. There's just something about a well-made box that I find fascinating. Given the ubiquity, variety and quality of boxes in Japanese culture - and the culture's predilection for making books about any subject imaginable - I would think that there must be books on this particular subject matter, which might contain information such as how to date such objects. Can you explain your statement above - "...that changes my understanding of things then..." with regards to my karabitsu? On another note, though a little off-topic, I thought I would share this interesting little video: https://twitter.com/cctvidiots/status/1243391627525160960?s=20

Hi Piers, When I first bought this karabitsu, I thought it could have been pre-Edo, but I have shown pictures of it to a few of our senior society members in Japan and they all seem to think that it's Edo. Eric is indeed missed...

Thought I'd revive this thread by sharing this negoro karabitsu from the Edo period: On a related note, does anyone know if there are any books published on antique Japanese boxes?

Hi Michael, Well, every library should certainly have a copy of Ian's Arms and Armour of the Samurai which provides a great overview of the subject. If you're looking for scientific analysis or an academic approach to the study of armour that is more technical and specific, from the list of books presented at the link, then I would recommend Robert Burawoy's Armuriers du Japon: Etudes de Meiko Zukan (if you speak French of course). Trevor Absolon's Samurai Armour: The Japanese Cuirass is a hefty tome that goes into great technical (and at times, historical) detail about the dō. The first three yearbooks of the JAS have presented some very in-depth (and frankly, cutting edge - pun intended) articles on subjects as varied as toppai, momonari and Joshu kabuto, the Japanese matchlock, and the Nobuie controversy, presented by the most senior experts of the society in Japan, as well as Western scholars such as Robert Burawoy. As well, membership in the JAS provides partial translations of the society meetings, some of which have presented very serious discussion on varied topics relating to katchu. Hope this helps!

From the photographs, I think it's Yamasiwa.

Whether it's a breastplate or a back plate or for male or females, the proportions just look off...

Something about this piece gives me the heebie jeebies...

Chris, I agree with Uwe. The mask you posted is from the Myochin and I think a Nara-type like the first one Uwe posted would suit best. However, it's always a matter of personal taste. Also, if you can, try to match the tare/yodare kake of the mask with the shikoro of the kabuto as closely as possible, with the same plate style and odoshi colour and pattern (hishi nui, mimi ito, etc.). I this particular instance, the plates of your shikoro seem to be covered in sabi nuri (urushi imitating russet iron) and the odoshi is quite simple - sugake (wide-spaced) in dark blue with no accent colours (hishi nui or mimi ito in different colours).

I remember reading somewhere that Haruta Tokimune was one of the few makers to sign his momonari.

Further to Luc's and Piers' comments, it's my understanding that when it comes to the tentsuki worn by the Ii family, those that were worn as wakidate were for senior/higher-ranking members, whilst the lower ranking retainers would wear the tentsuki as maedate, such as the ones below: I should also mention that the taller the tentsuki, the higher the rank.

I suspected as much, Uwe. So often it seems that many of these books only state the obvious and don't really delve into the history and minutiae of objects.

I've always considered maedate/maetate to be one of the most underappreciated areas of Japanese armour and it seems that scholarship on the subject is few and far between. A few years ago, a book on maedate was released and it highlighted 100 maedate designs. I wonder how much relevant background information was contained within regarding the kinds of questions raised by Ken and Ian. Would be good to get it translated.

Hi All, We have just returned from a fabulous few days with about 40 of our fellow members and a few non-members from 4 continents at our 4th symposium: Japanese Legacy IV, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Friday, September 13th. I thought that I'd share a few images of the day's events: Welcome by JAS President, Luc Taelman and Senior NKBKHK Board Member, Haruo Ueda: Ueda-san: Welcome by Pierre Terjanian, Chief Curator, Department of Arms and Armor, Metropolitan Museum of Art: Our first speaker, John Byck, Assistant Curator, Arms and Armor, Metropolitan Museum of Art, who spoke about the museum's rich history in collecting Japanese armor and specifically, the role of Bashford Dean in spearheading the collection: Kanno-san, who spoke about the importance of the harness in samurai armor and most importantly (and one of the highlights of the symposium for me), gave pointers on how to identify if a dō is from the Momoyama vs. Edo periods: JAS member and Visiting Researcher, Japanese Arms and Armor, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Markus Sesko, giving an interesting lecture and show-and-tell on the work of Myochin Muneakira:

With our symposium just around the corner, we do have a few extra spots for non-members to join. If you're interested in attending, fire me a PM and I can send you the info. John

One of the major initiatives of the Japanese Armor Society is to hold regular symposiums geared towards the study, scholarship and appreciation of Japanese armor. Next month marks the occasion of Japanese Legacy IV, the fourth symposium planned for our members, but also open for non-members to attend. Please find below our full member programme for the weekend which gives a sense of the events and experiences planned. Afterward, some of our members continue on to Dallas, where we will be hosted by Gabriel Barbier-Muller at his esteemed Samurai Collection museum. Friday, September 13 9:45AM Meet at the Metropolitan Museum 10:00AM-10:15AM Welcome and Introduction 10:15AM-11:00AM The Armor Collection of the Met: From Bashford Dean to Present 11:00AM-11:20AM Transition of Japanese Armor and Japanese Harness 11:20AM-12:20PM Myochin Muneakira: Master of Embossment 12:20PM-1:30PM Lunch on own 1:30PM-2:00PM Katchushi: Questions of Restorations and Armor-Making 2:00PM-2:30PM The Nanbokucho Armors of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum Five Continents, Munich 2:30PM-2:45PM Closing Remarks 2:45PM-3:45PM Viewing of the Met's Nanbokucho Armor as part of the exhibition, Kyoto: Capital of Artistic Imagination 3:45PM-6:30PM Visit of the Metropolitan collection at leisure 7:00PM Group dinner at TBA 9:00PM Opening reception for the Tetsuya Noguchi exhibition at Arsham/Fieg Gallery in KITH NY Saturday, September 14 Full Day at Leisure Sunday, September 15 11:00AM Meet in the lobby for group transfer to New Jersey 12:00PM Approximate arrival time at private collection of JAS member - one of the oldest and best collections in the West 12:00PM-1:00PM BBQ Luncheon 1:00PM-3:00PM Viewing of the collection in smaller groups 3:00PM Depart 4:30PM Approximate return to the hotel 8:00PM Group dinner at Shun Lee Monday, September 16 For participants in the Dallas tour, check-out and depart for LaGuardia Airport on your own End of New York programme

Here's a small bronze rabbit maedate that I have:

Hi Steve, Check the photographer's online store: sylwiamakris.com/shop There are two editions available.

Steve, I may be mistaken but the catalogue that Ian mentions has not yet been published. The book that is available is the photography book with some of the armours being worn, an example of which is the photograph of Martyna (the Samurai Museum curator) shown in post #5.

Kelly's a good guy. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his services.