OYOROI – Miura Saku

ERA: GENDAI – MODERN EXACT REPLICA

STYLE: NAMBOKUCHO PERIOD EXACT REPLICA OF KUSHIBIKI OYOROI

SCHOOL: ORIGINAL – KYOTO/NARA

REGION: CENTRAL JAPAN

SIGNATURE: MIURA HIROMICHI


Yamabushi Antiques is very proud to present this authentic, exact replica of the very famous national treasure Nambokucho period “Kushibiki Oyoroi” located in Aomori prefecture. The original armor was said to belong to the legendary Nambu Masanaga, and was given to him from the Emperor.

There are five armor smiths/restorations experts still alive in Japan. This armor was made by Miura Hiromichi sensei.  In terms of armor smithing ability, Miura sensei is THE best and is hailed by his peers as being the leadng authority when it comes to smithing and armor construction.  Most of the armor smiths in Japan work on restoration of armor rather than replication.  There is just more money and work in restoration these days.  On occasion a commission may be drawn by a museum or shrine for a replica to be produced.  For example a replica of Takeda Shingen’s Heian-Kamakura era Tate-nashi armor which was completed last year was ordered by Yamanashi Prefecture for the new museum.   It took a team of five artisans working behind Nishioka sensei more than two years to complete.   It sold for close to half a million dollars. That was a Kamakura period armor, and there are several authentic replicas of Kamakura armors produced correctly, however, there are extremely few professionally replicated Nanbokucho period armors such as this example in existence.  Literally there are probably more original Nanbokucho period armors than there are professional replicas of them in existence.  The reason for this is because it is an extremely time, labor, and skill intensive task to construct a Nanbokucho Yoroi ­ more so, than any other type of Japanese armor.  Thus, some smiths won’t attempt it even if the customer can afford it. This O-Yoroi is an exact copy and was a special order piece.  It was specially ordered  by Miura sensei’s close friend, which is probably the only reason that he took the commission. It was ordered over thirty years ago and took Miura sensei 8 years to complete. Each part of this armor is done in the exact same method and proportion as the original.  Each plate, fitting etc is an exact match.  Miura sensei even went to the shrine and stayed there several weeks studying the original.  I think when the priests weren’t looking he even took casts of the fittings so he could get perfect copies of the kanamono.  When I was in Okayama I asked Morisaki sensei how much a Kamakura exact replica goes for and he said without a blink of the eye, “half a million and two years”.  This particular example is better; it’s a Nanbokucho, it took 8 years to complete, and you don’t have to wait in line to have it made.   Its in perfect condition, and its not a half million dollars. This armor has appeared in multiple museum exhibitions and catalogs. It comes with a solid wood case and a specially made armor stand.