The Arts of the BushiCatalogue - February 2016

Nihon No Katchu⽇日本の甲胄

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The Arts of the Bushi

Sale Sunday 28th February 2016 at 10.00amat The London Arms Fair.The Marriot Hotel Duke StreetLondon W1 Park Lane

Items presented by

David Thatcher trading as Nihon No Katchu (Katchu UK)

Web: www.katchu.uk Email: info@nihon-no-katchu.comTel: 01327-323042 Cel: 07971-955214

Images and text copyright© Nihon No Katchu 2016

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ForewordBy David Thatcher

I began trading in antique samurai armour in 2011. Over the last four years, I have tended to work on one piece at a time and then release it for sale via the internet, my virtual showroom.

Towards the end of 2015, I decided that the time was right to commit to my first show. Ordinarily, as soon as items were ready for sale, they would have appeared on my website, generally selling within a few days. However, in order to have enough to take to a show, I have had to hold pieces back to accumulate a stock. Unfortunately, this has meant that there has been little in the way of new listings but on the plus side, this has given me the foundation to re-arrange how I do things and create a new business model for the future.

I decided upon the prestigious London Arms Fair at Park Lane as the venue for my debut. This fair has been established for over 30 years and is supported by some of the leading dealers and auction houses. The Park Lanes arms fair is international known as a venue for quality. I am confident and excited that Katchu-uk can offer equally attractive items to match all pockets.

All being well, I plan to attend three shows a year, each accompanied by a catalogue release. The catalogues will be hosted on my website and will be available to download in pdf format. I will also email an advanced notification of the catalogue release to anyone that wishes to join my mailing list.

Post the London Arms Fair, I will be attending the International Arms Fair at Birmingham on selected dates. If I am unable to secure a table at the show I can be contacted at the Northern Token Table in Hall 1.

Northern Token Society Member

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Contents

Item Page Number

Nerigawa Ryo Takahimo Gusoku 5

Hachi Ken Suji Bachi / Mengu Set 10

Nerigawa Momonari Kabuto 14

Eboshi Kabuto 16

Tetsu Momonari Kabuto 18

Saru Hanbo 20

Tsubame Hanbo Momoyama 22

Tsubame Hanbo 24

Saru Hanbo 26

Ressei Men 28

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具⾜足 GusokuNerigawa kuro urushi nuri zunari bachi Tetsu kuro urushi nuri ita mono yondan sugake odoshi hineno jikoro Ryo Taka himo Hotoke DouLate Momoyama - Mid Edo period

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Kabuto - Nerigawa kuro urushi zunari tetsu kuro mono sugake odoshi hineno jikoroThe helmet bowl is made from moulded rawhide that has been coated in black lacquer. It has been made in the zunari three plate style and has a featured ridge on the upper plate.The neck guard comprises of four lames which are made of iron. They are coated in black lacquer and laced in dark blue indigo silk in the simple hang style.There is some level of warping and cracking to the helmet bowl which is common for items made from nerigawa. The neck guard has a period repair to the lower lame.

Maedate:Heavy solid brass helmet crest, probably late edo.Hanpo - Tetsu kuro urushi saru-bo. Sandan ita mono sugake odoshi tareThe mask is made of black lacquered iron with a shu-urushi red lacquered interior. The throat guard comprises of four iron lames that are laced in black silk in the simple hang style.Dou - Nerigawa ryo takahimo-do, kuro, bengara urushi nuriThe cuirass is tied together with cords at each side. It is black lacquered with the upper plates in a dark reddish brown with indigo silk lacing.Gessan - Nerigawa kuro urushi ita mono kusazuri yondan sugake odoshi tareThe armoured shirt consists of six sections of four lames. These are back lacquered and laced in dark blue silk.  Each section is connected to the cuirass by silk lacing called yurugi-no-ita.Sode: Nerigawa kuro urushi ita mono godan sugake odoshi sode The shoulder guards are made up of five black lacquered plates laced in dark blue silk in the simple hang style. The lower plate of each sode matches the gessan on the duo.Kote: Shino GoteThe armoured sleeves are made from chain mail and black lacquered plates. The base material is dark blue hemp.Suneate: ShinoThe shin guards are made from chain mail and black lacquered plates. The base material is dark blue hemp.Hitsu:The armour storage box is made from wood with iron tetsu fittingsStand:Wooden standCondition:Good. There is some warping to areas with cracking. This armour is in its original preserve and there is damage as you would expect for a unrestored item of this age. There is evidence of period repairs made to the kabuto and dou. It is a very honest armour with features that suggest it was owned by a samurai. As to the age there are indications that some of the parts could be momoyama with later edo modifications.

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兜/⾯面頬 Kabuto / Menpo SetTetsu sabiji nuri hachi ken suji tate bachi. Tetsu sabiji nuri ita mono godan sugake odoshi hineo jikoro Tetsu sabiji nuri ressei men. Tetsu sabiji nuri godan sugake odoshi tare. Mid Edo Period

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HelmetTetsu sabiji nuri hachi ken suji tate. Eight plate iron helmet with an outer lacquered russet iron effect. Bengara urushi nuri. Dark brown lacquer. Tehen no kanamono. The top of the helmet is fitted with an ornate metal surround that has been gilded in gold.

Tetsu sabiji nuri ita mono godan hineo jikoro. The neck is made up of five iron plates that have an applied russet iron effect in dark brown lacquer to match the helmet bowl. Usumidori sugake odoshi. Laced in a light green silk braid in the sugake style. Hachi tsuke no byo. Gold plated decorative split shank rivets that attach the neck guard to the helmet. Asa ukebari. Asa kabuto no O. Dark blue hemp helmet liner with a matching dark blue hemp helmet cord. Maedate. Original helmet crest in the shape of a half moon.

ConditionVery good condition. There are some minor chips and scruffs that can be expected for an item of this age.

Work UndertakenConsolidation coat of urushi nuri applied. Replacement ukebari and kabuto no o. Supplied with a traditional wooden kabuto stand.

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DescriptionRessei men no shita men. Tetsu sabiji nuri. Tetsu sabiji nuri godan mono-ita sukage odoshi tare. This is an iron mask with an applied russet iron lacquered effect. The cheeks feature two odayori helmet cord anchors. Black yak hair Ago hige goatee. Standard ase nagashi no ana sweat drain hole. Integral mimi ear protector.

Hana detachable nose with black yak hair kuchi-hige moustache. Gold guilt teeth ueba. The tare comprises of five iron plates with a russet iron effect. Green silk lacing in the sugake style.

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Momonari Kabuto / Nerigawa tetsu sabiji nuri urushi nuri momonari bachi Tetsu kon urushi nuri iyozane kirisuke godan sugake odoshi hineno jikoroMid Edo Period

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HelmetNerigawa raw hide and tetsu iron hachi coated in a lacquered russet iron effect called tetsu sabiji nuri. Parts to one side of the kabuto has been professionally restored with the repair being completely invisible. Hachi tsuke no byo. Gold plated decorative split shank rivets that attach the neck guard to the helmet.

Kon urushi Godan jikoro five level neck guard made of tetsu iron with kirisuke iyozane scales in gloss black lacquer. Laced in the sugake simple hang style.

Asa ukebari, asa kabuto-no-o. Dark blue hemp helmet liner with a matching dark blue hemp helmet cord.

Maedate. Original helmet crest.

ConditionVery good condition. There are some minor chips and scruffs that can be expected for an item of this age.

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Eboshi Kabuto Tetsu kon urushi nuri eboshi bachi Tetsu kinpaku tataki nuri urushi ita mono yondan sugake odoshi hineno jikoroMid Edo Period

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HelmetTetsu kon urushi nuri eboshi-nariA helmet made from three sections of iron to resemble a eboshi court cap. Black gloss lacquer. The mabezashi visor has a tataki nuri stippled effect.

Tetsu kon urushi nuri ita mono yondan tataki nuri kinpaku hineo jikoro. The neck is made up of four iron plates that have an stippled effect in black lacquer to match the helmet bowl. Sugake odoshi. Laced in a dark blue silk braid in the sugake style. Hachi tsuke no byo. Gold plated decorative split shank rivets that attach the neck guard to the helmet. Asa ukebari. Asa kabuto no O. Dark blue hemp helmet liner with a matching dark blue hemp helmet cord.

ConditionVery good condition. There are some minor chips and scruffs that can be expected for an item of this age.

Work UndertakenConsolidation coat of urushi nuri applied. Replacement ukebari and kabuto no o. Point of interest There are two sword strikes on the left side of the helmet causing dents which have been lacquered over.

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Momonari KabutoTetsu sabiji nuri urushi momonari bachi Tetsu tataki nuri shu urushi ita mono sandan sugake odoshi hineno jikoroLate Momoyama / early Edo period

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HelmetTetsu sabiji nuri kon urushi momonari bachi. Tetsu tataki nuri shu urushi sandan ita mono sugake odoshi jikoro. This is a three plate iron helmet made in the momonari peach shaped style. The outer surface has a russet iron lacquer effect applied with a black lacquer coating. There are four Hachi tsuke no byo. Gold plated decorative split shank rivets that attach the neck guard to the helmet.

The shikoro is made up from three iron lames with a red lacquered effect called tataki nuri. Laced in the sugake simple hang style.

Asa ukebari, asa kabuto-no-o. Dark blue hemp helmet liner with a white helmet cord.

ConditionVery good condition. There are some minor chips and scruffs that can be expected for an item of this age.

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Saru-boTetsu sabiji nuri urushi hanbo Tetsu sabiji nuri urushi ita mono san dan sugake kawa odoshi tare Mid Edo Period

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DescriptionTetsu sabiji nuri kon urushi saru-bo.This is a iron mask with an applied russet iron effect. Made in the saru monkey cheeks style with repoussé uchidashi swirls. There are two odayori kugi prongs on the lower section that is used as an anchor for the helmet cords.

The tare is joined to the mask with a printed deer leather section known as kômori-tsuke which has a stencilled design on the front and is backed with a light blue asa hemp.

The throat guard comprises of three lames that have a matching russet iron effect. The lames are laced in a orange silk in the simple hang sugake odoshi style.ConditionExcellent

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Tsubame-boTetsu sabiji nuri urushi hanbo Tetsu Kon nuri urushi ita mono san dan kebeki odoshi tare Momoyama Period

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DescriptionTetsu sabiji nuri kon urushi tsubame-bo.This is a iron mask with an applied russet iron effect. Made in the tsubame swallow cheeks style.There are two odayori ore kugi prongs on the mid section of the mask that are used as an anchor for the helmet cords. The mask is rather unusual in that it features an extended goatee made from horse hair. The inside of the mask is back with a large ase nagashi no ana sweat drainage hole.

The tare has three lames that have been made to resemble kozane scales, the lower having an abstract pattern. The lames are laced together with blue silk in a variation of the kebiki odoshi style.

ConditionExcellent

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Tsubame-boTetsu sabiji nuri urushi hanbo Tetsu kon urushi nuri ita mono yon dan sugake odoshi tare Edo Period

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DescriptionTetsu sabiji nuri kon urushi tsubame-bo.This is a iron mask with an applied russet iron effect. Made in the tsubame swallow cheeks style.

There are two odayori ore kugi prongs on the mid section of the mask that are used as an anchor for the helmet cords. The inside of the mask is red with a standard ase nagashi no ana sweat drainage hole.

The tare has four lames that have been coated in gloss black lacquer. The lames are laced together with green silk in the simply hand sugake odoshi style.

ConditionVery Good

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Saru-boTetsu tataki nuri urushi hanbo Tetsu tataki nuri urushi ita mono san dan sugake odoshi tare Edo Period

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DescriptionTetsu sabiji tataki nuri kon urushi saru-bo. This is an iron mask made in the saru monkey cheeks style. The outer surface has a stippled lacquer effect called tataki-nuri applied. There are two odayori ore kugi prongs on the mid section of the mask that are used as an anchor for the helmet cords.

The throat guard comprises of three lames that have a matching stippled lacquer effect. The lames are laced in a gold silk in the simple hang sugake odoshi style.ConditionExcellent

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Ressei Men No Shita MenTetsu sabiji nuri urushi menpo Tetsu kon urushi nuri kirisuke yon dan kebiki odoshi tare Edo Period

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DescriptionTetsu Sabiji Nuri Ressei Men No Shita Men Iron mask made in the resize style and coated in a simulated russet iron lacquer effect. Two Odayori helmet cord anchors. Brown horse hair Ago hige goatee. Standard ase nagashi no ana sweat drain hole. Integral mimi ear protector. Hana detachable nose with brown horse hair kuchi-hige moustache. Gold guilt teeth ueba.

Yon dan tetsu ita tare. Kuro usushi nuri.Throat guard of four lames in black lacquer. Kiristuke ko zane simulated small scales, laced in the kebiki style in indigo odoshi silk braid. ConditionVery good, some minor signs of wear and tear. Chipping to the kiristuke.

Work UndertakenSome chips and scruffs repaired. Replacement hige.

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