Suji Bachi Kabuto, Signed And Dated Joshu Ju Saotome Ienari

sujibachi tuype helmet with slats signed on the rear blade "Joshu Ju saotome ienari Ienari resident of the province of Joshu dated on the front blade Kwanbun ju ni Nen? hachi Gatsu Jitsu the eighth month of the twelfth year of the kanbun era (1661- 1673) or August 1673 this helmet is mounted on a shikoro with 5 blades of tyê Hineno shikoro in red lacquered iron and braided in silk sugake accompanied by its maedate in the shape of an inome (symbol of the boar's eye) We find on this helmet the quality and rigor of the saotome blacksmiths With the difference that this suji bachi has details and a finish which places it at the top of the range of their production first of all the chocolate patina of the most beautiful effect which highlights the quality from the forge the precision of the eyebrows made with the technique of pushing back (ushidashi) the inlays of svatiska (hirazogan) in gold on the iron tehen as well as the rivets for fixing the visor (mabisachi) which were hollowed out for this purpose and filled with gold bring a discreet and subtle luxury an engraved shakudo fukurin highlights the unusual cut in the shape of a fujiyama (yamamichi) gashira), a motif that is sometimes found on the blades of shikoror, kuzasuri of sode or even dô the fact of being dated is an extremely rare detail among saotome blacksmiths the price is for the kabuto alone without menpo