Help please on iron menpo

[Matsunoki]

Having nearly sold my whole sword collection I am now just starting to become more interested in armour, especially Kabuto and Menpo in russet iron. My knowledge is currently pretty basic but this piece has crossed my path and I would be really grateful for your opinions on quality, age, school…..anything that’s relevant really that would assist a total novice.

Many thanks for looking.

All the best. 
Colin

 

[Luc T]

Hello Collin,

it seems to be a good quality item.

edo period, eastern and western influences.

I see some kansai features.

 

[uwe]

Judging school is very difficult on this mask. No clear features are pointing somewhere…

I agree with Luc about the period and quality, though. Can you show us some additional pics…side view, underside of the chin etc?!

[Matsunoki]

@Luc T @uwe

Thank you so much for your help.

I do not own this one (yet🙂but hopefully…) and as I am totally ignorant on armour I just want to avoid the awaiting  pitfalls and bear traps…..having seen some of the pieces discussed on here that are modern/fake (but that  looked old and good quality…to me) it is obvious that Kabuto and menpo suffer also from the attentions of fakers, albeit very talented ones.

This one looked very well made to me in a fairly simple style ……but then what do I know?

These are the only other images available at the moment……do they suggest anything else?

Would I be right to think the throat guard is of lesser quality?

…..and can you point me at any decent reference books (in English) that can assist my learning?

…..and thanks again! All the best.  Colin

 

[Bugyotsuji]

The throat guard (tare) probably qualifies for the name 'itamono', and yes, relatively speaking it was a cheaper and easier construction, made up of four  single solid metal sheets or plates. (At least this is the impression I have formed in conversation with people, but I'd be happy to be corrected.)