Momoyama Joshu Myochin Suji Kabuto

ERA: Momoyama

STYLE: Koboshi Suji Kabuto

SCHOOL: Joshu Myouchin

REGION: Kanto (Joshu - Gunma Prefecture)



This is a typical koboshi kabuto that is unmistakably the work of the Joshu Myouchin School which was most active from the end of the Muromachi era through the Momoyama era specializing in high vaulted koboshi (small rivet) kabuto. This kabuto is in its original state with its original shikoro and very old lacing. This kabuto had some spots of the urushi on the mabizashi restored by Nishioka sensei (One of Japan’s top restoration experts) who did what we call a passive restoration where he only attended to the places which needed lacquer and kept the original lacquer intact for the sake of preserving it in original condition. He also preserved the original lacing by attaching leather lacing in the vital areas to support the shikoro. A nice thing about this kabuto is that the tehen kanamono is original as well and dates to the original period of manufacture. The arrangement of the rivets around the tehen (top of the kabuto) is in the trapezoidal arrangement.  Uesugi family in yamagata during the Momoyama period used this type of kabuto as did Kagekatsu.  I noticed, however, that only the armors of the higher ranking daimyo had the rivets arranged in the squarish fashion. The lower daimyo had rivets arranged in a circular pattern. I don’t know the significance of this. 

This kabuto with this type of restoration would be ideal for somebody who is interested in a very old original example of the Joshu Myouchin School’s work.
 

Price on Request