Joshu Myochin School Suji-Kabuto

ERA:   Muromachi (ca. 1530's)      

STYLE:   Suji kabuto

SCHOOL:  Joshu Myochin

SIGNATURE:  None

 

Heichozan koboshi (high-sided, flat-topped helmet bowl) suji-kabuto.  Hachi is unaltered  russet iron with dark brown – black patina.  Hachi (helmet bowl) is composed of 62 plates with small standing rivets in 63 rows of 29 rivets each for a total of 1827 rivets.  Original copper tehen kanamono and Mabizashi (visor) with copper fukurin.  Fukurin  and tehen kanamono ornamented with identical scrolled vines on nanako background (very similar designs seen on early kodogu).   Of particular interest to me has been the texture of the iron on the mabizashi - note the very fine abundant bumps covering much of the plate.  I think that these are are granular tekkotsu which have been left intact, rather than filed down, because they are so fine, and would have aided in the bonding of lacquer to the mabizashi.   People forget that the metal quality of these kabuto was excellent, and the remnants from katchushi possibly were used to make tsuba.  The fukurin and tehen kanamono scoll work is very fine, and reminiscent of kokinko tsuba from the period.  Again, it is interesting to see on this kabuto so many similarities to period tosogu.  The Mabizashi is lacquered black on the underside, as was the style in the Muromachi.  5-plate Shikoro (neck defense) with russet lacquer outside, black lacquer inside (minor losses), kebiki lacing.  Shikoro and Fukigaeshi (blow-back plates) are likely later - probably Momoyama to early Edo.    The silk lacing holding the shikoro together has frayed over the span of time.  It would take a couple of centuries for silk to deteriorate to this degree, so this attests to the age and completeness of this kabuto.  This is for a serious collection, and will give the owner years of enjoyment, as it has given me.