New to armor and in need of your 2 cents - menpo

[stevel48]

Hi all. Nihonto is old hat but armor is totally new for me. I'm looking at this edo menpo and obviously i have no idea if it is authentic, edo or showa. What do you think? Authentic Japanese and if so what period? The seller did note the mustache restoration. Other restorations are unknown.

Thanks much!

[stevel48]

[Baka Gaijin]

Hi Steve 

 

Look at the visible rivets holding the teeth and elsewhere, Heisei/ Reiwa could also be a time consideration as well as a production location other than Japan.....

[Gilles]

Dear Steve,

 

You are probably older than this menpo. I agree with Malcom about its age and origin. It's way too decorated to be Japanese.

[stevel48]

Ok, learning. No rivets on masks before when?  Perhaps it was made by the Marutake  Workshop?

[uwe]

Hi Steve,

it’s far more difficult than that…

On your purchase, the overall appearance (among other telltales) raises doubts!

[Chris Davies]

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 🙇🏼‍♂️

[stevel48]

So, i learned what i could quickly from some friendly folks and yes i got it wrong as a newbie. So did the seller in Japan so he canceled my order and then we worked out a much cheaper price in line with a modern display piece. Then I went to Nihonto Art and bought a real Edo menpo from Nick C.

[Bugyotsuji]

Tetsu sabi ji nuri.

[uwe]

Well, that’s the real deal!

To bore you with the long description: “Tetsu sabiji nuri ressei me-no-shita men”. This specific type is sometimes also called “Nara men”  in the West, referring to its place of origin. 
 

Nick (Ricupero) is always a good address 👍

[stevel48]

Thats great Uwe and not boring.  Thats the kind of information i am seeking. What can you tell me about makers or schools of these menpo? Is armor simmilar to nihonto in terms of schools and makers?

[Shogun8]

True and decent menpo, Steve. Made by the Haruta in the Nara region (as Uwe mentioned) in relatively great numbers. Many armours have such menpo.

 

Regarding your question about similarities between nihonto and armour makers, there are some similarities but also some great differences such as the fact that you won't find any signed armour pieces pre late-Muromachi. I also think top end armour pieces are more difficult to find than top end nihonto. Additionally, I don't think that armour has yet reached the heights of nihonto when it comes to the highest prices (i.e million and multi-million dollar), since the historic pieces that would command such prices are esconced in shrines and museums.

[stevel48]

It arrived from Nick and it's a 10 out of 10.