Chris Davies

Thank you 😋👍🏼 A “heavy built” agemaki will not let the ukezutsu fit comfortably in the (machi uki?) photo attached. And seen videos from the Soma Noma Oi where this was done as an alternative/compromise 🤷🏼‍♂️ Seems to work 👍🏼

The cultural, historic knowledge, skill and craftsmanship of samurai armour has always inspired me to learn more 🙇🏻🙇🏻🙇🏻🙇🏻 Every step of production, every craft, every material and skill needed to produce a great armour is fascinating to me 😁👍🏼

Some more photos from the man cave 😆 Currently just adding detail to my replica armour but itching to start some restoration on older stuff. I have some “Edo Period” kote in not too bad shape and looking to replace areas of the kusari loss and Kotezuke no takahimo. I’ll post some photos before I start and hopefully get advice 👍🏼

Some “enhancements” of my replica armour and learning how to recognise genuine historical armour.

Hi Steve. Samurai Armour is new to me too. One thing I appreciate about this forum, is the honesty and knowledge of the people here.! Genuine Katchūshi 🙇🏼‍♂️

A nice detail that makes a neat finish when Egawa edges could look “uneven” or “rough”.! …I love it 😁👍🏼 And adding it to some of my “upgrades” to my own armour. Thank you Uwe 🙇🏼‍♂️ For "水引" (Mizuhiki) water. Wave? 🤷🏼‍♂️

Another build. Kachi mushi.

I’ll look on every detail of this item and break down all its materials. And construction. Just to learn 😁👍🏼

I’ve just gone for this off eBay. Also has the “piping” detail. Single Osode, hon kozane. No Kanamono. But nice display (hopefully Edo) item. Something to learn from 😋

Thank you Uwe for your reply. And understand it’s a detail that appears on many armours! But one I love and think it adds a quality detail. I’ll endeavour to research it and try to find out more 🙇🏻

Hi Uwe. Thanks 😁👍🏼 What I was wondering is, was it carried over from Osode? The white and orange “pipping” seams to only appear on tosei sode or dou. 👍🏼

Finished 🙂

I’ve worked more on the “enhancements” of the sode. I’ve looked up these details and not found much. When was this “trim” introduced? Does it date armour? Is it a specific katchushi?

This is the work so far. Updates to follow x