Description

Medium: Iron, lacquer, silk, copper, gold

School: Possibly Unkai Kaga School

Provenance: Ian Bottomley Collection UK

This is an excellent example of a mid-Edo period momonari-style kabuto, complete with a matching hanpo face protector, crafted in the Kaga region of Japan. Both the menpo and hachi are made of russet iron and display expert workmanship. While the ukebari (helmet lining) remains intact, preventing a full inspection for a signature—the design suggests it may be the work of the Unkai school, particularly due to the distinctive double sukashi inome cutouts at the rear of the hachi.

This set was formerly part of the Ian Bottomley Collection. Ian acquired two such sets, believed to be made by the same school, from a dealer in Tottori many years ago. As the photographs show, this example is in near-fine condition and has been professionally re-laced.