Jump to content

The holy grail of low end armors..the kikko tatami dou.


estcrh

Recommended Posts

Eric, You are absolutely correct when you say this is 'low end'. Perhaps not quite 'lowest end' but trying hard. The small hexagonal plates on this grade of armour are usually nerigawa, although they don't usually get a coat of black lacquer - normally just a semi-transparent brown. There is a complete tatami gusoku on eBay at the moment I keep looking at that has been there for weeks. The price does keep dropping so someday someone will bid. Last time I looked it was about $3250. The lacquer looks very dull but is intact and may just be dirty. I like the fact that it is complete, obviously homogeneous and that the kote and haidate are on brocade. Somewhat better than average. It is getting pretty near to being a good buy.

Ian Bottomley

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ian, This kikko tatami dou is about as ''Basic'' as you can get, and yet it offers the same protection as the more ""tarted up'' ones and it is the only one of its type I have seen.

 

I recently saw the same karuta tatami gusoku you mentioned seeing on ebay for sale in Japan at about half the price and it still took awhile before selling. I too noticed something strange about the lacquer. Exposure to sunlight sometimes causes this dull look but it is a completely matched set and that makes it a rare piece.

 

Here is another completely matched set laced in leather, the dou is unusual in that the karuta plates are connected by leather instead of the usual kusari. The kusazuri are removable also making the dou easier to transport.

 

100_4133.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one, unless your post is really relevant and adds to the topic..

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...