shmed

More photos:

Uwe, thank you so much for all the valuable information so far. I just found my DLSR and I'm currently charging the battery, but I took a few more zoomed in photos using my phone in the meantime. Its great that you pointed out the printed leather, the same pattern can indeed be found on almost every piece of the armor (I'm at the size limit since I'm uploading high resolution photos, so I'll be uploaded them separately)

Hi Lewis, not sure if you saw the reply I made on Facebook, but here's what the magnet test revealed: Bowl is likely raw hide (not magnetic). However, elements of the helmet are magnetic, such as the fin on top, as well as the fukigaeshi (I think that's what it's called - the flap/wings with the mon). The shikoro also is magnetic. On the body, the cuirasse as well as the "skirt" plating (not sure on the name) are also magnetic. The chain mail on the arms is magnetic, but not the shoulder plates. Thanks for the feedback. Curious if you could expand on it. I'm well aware this is not a highly collectible or museum worth piece (I paid $2500 so I have to be realistic). I also know it's in terrible state. I'm mostly curious to hear if it's authentic or not, and if it's not, what are the tells. Thank you

Thank you so much Uwe for the reply. I'll try to find my dslr tomorrow and take additional higher resolution photos. Let me know if there's any part in particular you'd want me to photograph. Thank you again.

Thank you for the reply. I ended up purchasing it for around $2500. The lacquer is indeed in pretty rough shape all around. I'm glad it at least look period correct. I don't see those type of antique for sale in my city pretty odte, so maybe I was too quick to pull the trigger hehe. I hope $2500 isn't too much of an over pay! (I'm not going to wear it, it's really just a cool show piece for my man cave/home office)

A local antique seller recently imported this armor from Kyoto, and I’m considering purchasing it. I’m trying to do some research first to better understand what I’d actually be buying. The seller labeled it as Edo period armor, but didn’t have much documentation or provenance beyond that. To my untrained eye, at least some components (especially the dō/cuirass) seem stylistically appropriate for the period, but I’m very far from an expert. A few things I’m trying to understand: Does this appear to be genuinely antique Japanese armor, or a later decorative reproduction? If authentic, does it look more like a true Edo-period suit, a Meiji-era export/display assembly, or a composite “marriage” armor assembled from older parts? Does the kabuto/helmet seem consistent with the rest of the armor? Any thoughts on the mon/crest? Does the condition/restoration raise any red flags? Unfortunately I don’t have interior kabuto photos, but I included all the detailed angles I was able to take. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.