Alainalain Posted January 8 Report Posted January 8 Hello, I share with you an interesting and rare old Hoate (or Hanbô) from the muromachi period (15-16 th). A half-mask made of natural iron, of the "Hanbō" type, covering half the face and excluding the nose. The inner surface is lacquered red. A sweat vent and a channel (ase nagashi) are present on the lower part. Two stamped iron "yadome" straps on each side of the mask guide and protect the helmet cord, while two iron studs (otayori) on the lower part secure the cord. The four-row gorget (yodarekake), very likely contemporary with the mask, is made of superficial iron strips covered with lacquered leather, joined together in a "hon kozane" style and then in a "kebiki odoshi" style with printed suede "egawa" cords and red silk. This half-mask is designed to cover part of the face while also protecting the cord and ensuring the helmet (still quite heavy during the Muromachi period) stays in place and distributing its weight more evenly. Half-masks from this period are extremely rare. The mask's shape, with its iron gorget covered in lacquered leather, immediately suggests a very early date, further confirmed by the black corrosion of the iron, which allows us to date the object to the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573). Some examples of hoate wearing during the Muromachi period : Handscroll : A Long Tale for an Autumn Night (Aki no yo nagamonogatari) ca. 1400. Metropolitan Museum of Art New-York, 2002.459.2 https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/65122 others exemple : 1 2 Quote
uwe Posted January 9 Report Posted January 9 Nice hanpō regardless of age, Alain! One small correction. The three-stage tare is not made of hon-kozane, but of iyozane. A subsequent development of armor scales… 1 Quote
Alainalain Posted January 9 Author Report Posted January 9 Hi Uwe Thanks for your feedback, indeed, the tare is made of iyozane Perhaps I was too quick with the era. What do you think of the era ? Muromachi, Momoyama or Edo ? For comparaison i have two hoate, including one on a Momoyama armor with a shisha, and another that is very likely from the late Muromachi period. This one is made of natural iron with significant black rust; it seems very old to me, certainly pre-Edo ? Quote
uwe Posted January 10 Report Posted January 10 Hard to determine the age without having it in hand, Alain. If forced I would say not later as Momoyama… Not very satisfying, I know! Maybe a candidate for our shinsa in Utrecht scheduled in June 1 Quote
Luc T Posted January 10 Report Posted January 10 Hi Alain, Apart from the patina, what I see is a Myochin edo hanbo. Chin, Yadome.. 1 Quote
uwe Posted January 10 Report Posted January 10 I know what you mean Luc. Also the red lacquer inside (and it’s condition) might point Edo. On the other hand, Iida has published a similar one and placed it Momoyama or earlier?! Quote
Iekatsu Posted January 14 Report Posted January 14 (edited) I agree with the others sorry, I can see why you thought it was earlier, the shape language is similar to early examples. Condition aside it is still a nice Hanbo. Edited January 14 by Iekatsu Quote
Shogun8 Posted Wednesday at 03:23 PM Report Posted Wednesday at 03:23 PM Indeed, a very nice hanbo, nonetheless. Quote
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