New Myochin ki Munechika armor

[Marc T]

Dear All,

 

I just found out this morning an article about the reopening of the Tokyo Edo museum after 4 years of renovation.

Big surprise as a unknown Myochin Munechika armor was on the press article.

 

https://artexhibition.jp/topics/news/20260325-AEJ2867109/

 

 

I have been collecting and doing research on Munechika for almost 30 years, and that's the first time I see this one....

Is anyone aware or seen this armor made in Ansei 3 nen (the one on the right)? The museum is schedule to open on March 25th. Can't wait for the reopening and learn more about this armor....!

 

Let me know your thoughts.

 

Many thanks in advance

 

Marc

[uwe]

Hi Marc,

haven’t seen this armor before. Seems to be an opulently made haramaki…

[Marc T]

Hello Uwe,

 

Thank you for your feedback.

Yes, very nice armor. Probably belong to a high ranking bakufu official or a super super wealthy Samurai. From the picture, I cannot see any family crest.

The nice color variation reminds me of the Munechika armor in the Leiden museum.

Will try to ask the Edo museum if they have more informations about the history of this armor. (Provenance, etc.)

There is probably also a more precise date mentioned inside the Kabuto. Comment of the picture only mention the year.

 

Interesting search. Will see where it will lead.

 

Many thanks

 

[Luc T]

hi Mark, I have never seen this one before.  typical work for the period.

[Marc T]

Hello Luc.

indeed. Interesting armor.

Will try to found out more about this one.

Many thanks for your feedback.

[The Blacksmith]

@Marc T  Marc,  There is a very nice Munechika O-yoroi illustrated in John Anderson's book, 'Japanese Armour; An illustrated Guide to the Work of the Myochin and Saotome Families from the 15th to the 20th Century', which at the time the book was written belonged to the late H. Russell Robinson. John I know bought many items from Russell Robinson, and possibly this was later amongst them. John later sold his entire collection to a Japanese buyer, that would have been in ca. 1984-85.  So my question is do you know the whereabouts of this armour today, and was the collection kept together or dispersed when it went back to Japan?

Russell Robinson generously donated some armours to the Victoria & Albert Museum, and also to the Royal Armouries at the Tower of London, where he worked for many years.

 

Any ideas, I'd be extremely interested to know.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Marc T]

Hi Russ,

 

Thank you for your mail, and this information. Very interesting to know. I believe you are referring to the armor No 36 in the book of Mr. L J Anderson.

 

First of all, there are three Myochin ki Munechika armorers. Only the last character changes.

There is no pictures of the sign of the armorer, so it is not easy to identify the armorer judging only by this black and white photo, but the comments of the book mention that many parts are dated from 1779-1780. Therefore it is not the Munechika I am tracking, who worked on the very late Edo period.

To answer your question, unfortunately, I have no idea about what happened to this collection. I was not in Japan at that time. I have been looking for Munechika armors for more than 20 years in Japan, but I haven’t seen this armor on the market over those years . Hopefully, may be someone who will read this post will have more information to share with you. 

 

An interesting point if you are interested in Munechika is the armor on P 52 ( No42). Nice armorers collaboration. 

The helmet is older ( Saotome Iyesada) the Shikoro is signed by Myochin Munechika ( Probably in a gold cartouche), and the rest of the armor was signed by Myochin Muneyasu who was the adoptive father and master of the Myochin Munechika of the very late Edo. I have three others do identical to this one signed by Myochin Munechika. The work is similar to Muneyasu ‘s ones. Interesting to see these kind of mix. They are not rare. I have seen some example of collaboration between Myochin Munechika and Myochin Muneyasu. Both very high quality work.

 

Hope you will find what you are looking for.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

A friend has a Tsuyama armour signed 宗保Muneyasu.

[The Blacksmith]

@Marc T  Marc,  Thank you so much for explaining about the various Munechika armourers.  I do not recall having seen the armour in question, whether in the V&A, Royal Armouries or in John's collection, which I was privileged to see, both displayed at Rochester Museum and also at John's house on several occasions..

The Maidstone armour I have also seen, and it is a beautiful armour. That said, I hadn't noticed the various different armourers involved in this piece. The exquisite Doi armour in the V&A IIRC. is signed by six Myochin armourers.

Thank you again for your reply, I have often wondered what became of John's fabulous collection, I know he sold every single piece of it.  When I asked , ' Did you keep this ( the red Nichiren arnour for example) , or did you keep that item', he replied ,' No, had I kept a piece I would have thought maybe I should have kept that piece instead, or that piece, so I sold every piece.'  I know he retired down to the west country somewhere  and started a little business restoring Japanese armour.

 

Good luck with your research etc Marc.

[Marc T]

Hello Russ,

sorry. I was not a  big help on this search.

I sincerely hope the armors of this gentleman’s collection are kept in one set, and not sold by part, as we see it too often.

I have seen recently a Myochin armor with a certificate ( genuine) dating from the 80’s, but previous owners changed the sangu and the yoroibitsu to look more attractive for foreign taste…

 

It was not only a mismatch, it completely change the historic ( and financial) value of the armor. What a shame.

 

I will look for the Munechika armor of the book , and will raise a flag if I see it.

 

Kind regards

 

[Marc T]

On 7/15/2026 at 11:11 PM, Bugyotsuji said:

A friend has a Tsuyama armour signed 宗保Muneyasu.

Hi Piers,

 

By pure curiosity, do you think it would be possible to get a picture of this armor?. Just to keep it as a reference.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Hi Marc, please see your messages.

[Luc T]

Here a picture of Sam (nicknamed by the former owner).  A Munekane armor made for the Tsuyama Matsudaira.  Kabuto by Gitsu,  Kote, dou and menpo signed and dated by Munekane.   

[Marc T]

Thank you Luc and Piers.

 

Very nice…!!