A KON-ITO-ODOSHI MOGAMI HARAMAKI, the kabuto comprising a fine sixty-two plate russet-iron sujibachi with gilt and silvered five-stage yukimochi and kikuza tehen-kanamono and russet-iron mabizashi decorated with gold-leaf dragons, the iron oharaidate pierced with Noburyu hirame, the lower part with a small gilt aoimon (probably added), the gilt kosho-no-kan with purple agemaki bow, the black-lacquered fukigaeshi decorated with hiramakie tendrils and bearing gilt hanabyo (two missing), gilt chrysanthemum-leaf mon and engraved fukurin, with four-lame kebiki-laced shikoro; the ukebari partly detached to reveal the front plate with a signature, Myochin Nobuie, the back plate with a partly legible date, Higatsu Kichijitsu; with an associated russet-iron mempo originally lacquered black, the detachable nose-piece pinned at each side, decorated with a "dai" character on the chin and each cheek-bone, with a four-lame kebiki laced yodare-kake, the mogami-do with a seven-section detachable kusazuri and sei-ita or "coward's plate" with ukezutsu, the tsubo-sode of seven plates with shakudo fukurin and kanamono on the buckskin-covered kamuri-ita and matching shakudo kogai-kanamono carved and pierced chrysanthemum roundels, the hodo-haidate with three pendant sections of kozane on each side, five-plate russet-iron shinto suneate, and with fur boots, saihai and a manju-no-wa, the last three items in poor condition.

ARMOUR THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN

Details

A KON-ITO-ODOSHI MOGAMI HARAMAKI, the kabuto comprising a fine sixty-two plate russet-iron sujibachi with gilt and silvered five-stage yukimochi and kikuza tehen-kanamono and russet-iron mabizashi decorated with gold-leaf dragons, the iron oharaidate pierced with Noburyu hirame, the lower part with a small gilt aoimon (probably added), the gilt kosho-no-kan with purple agemaki bow, the black-lacquered fukigaeshi decorated with hiramakie tendrils and bearing gilt hanabyo (two missing), gilt chrysanthemum-leaf mon and engraved fukurin, with four-lame kebiki-laced shikoro; the ukebari partly detached to reveal the front plate with a signature, Myochin Nobuie, the back plate with a partly legible date, Higatsu Kichijitsu; with an associated russet-iron mempo originally lacquered black, the detachable nose-piece pinned at each side, decorated with a "dai" character on the chin and each cheek-bone, with a four-lame kebiki laced yodare-kake, the mogami-do with a seven-section detachable kusazuri and sei-ita or "coward's plate" with ukezutsu, the tsubo-sode of seven plates with shakudo fukurin and kanamono on the buckskin-covered kamuri-ita and matching shakudo kogai-kanamono carved and pierced chrysanthemum roundels, the hodo-haidate with three pendant sections of kozane on each side, five-plate russet-iron shinto suneate, and with fur boots, saihai and a manju-no-wa, the last three items in poor condition.

Lot Essay

Although much of the work signed Nobuie cannot be considered authentic, the present example has several features typical of his style, such as a reduction in the height of the suji where they approch the tehen, and a haraidate with two vertically placed holes (hirame) and flattened lower end. The signature was engraved when the helmet was constructed, to judge from the slight overlapping of the plates at each side of it, and it may be that it is the work of a Nobuie student, following the style of the man who, by perfecting the sixty-two plaet ridged helmet, brought the Myochin name to such eminence among the armour makers of Japan. The gilt dragons and small aoimon on the mabizashi appear to be a late addition, and there are indications that the hachi may once have been lacquered.

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