Restoration
Traditional materials and construction
Training in lacquer, armour making, conservation and preservation created a detailed understanding of how Japanese armour was made—and how it should be cared for.
For more than four decades, Japanese armour has shaped my work as a collector, restorer, researcher, author and specialist dealer.
My fascination with Japanese armour began in the late 1980s during my first visit to Japan. While studying kendo, iai-do and jujitsu, I encountered the extraordinary craftsmanship and history behind samurai armour. That first encounter became a lifelong commitment to collecting, restoring and preserving these remarkable works.
Regular visits to Japan brought close contact with armourers, restorers, scholars and collections. Handling original material became the foundation of my understanding: how iron, lacquer, silk, leather and decorative fittings work together, and how condition, construction and provenance shape the significance of a piece.
My work combines practical restoration, historical research and the judgement developed through decades of handling original Japanese armour.
Training in lacquer, armour making, conservation and preservation created a detailed understanding of how Japanese armour was made—and how it should be cared for.
I have worked with leading collectors, auction houses and museums. Accreditation by LAPADA reflects the integrity, knowledge and professional standards at the centre of my practice.
Original research, specialist publications and photography allow each work to be understood in depth and presented with historical context rather than treated simply as a decorative object.
I visit Japan regularly to seek works of outstanding condition, rarity and historical value. Although I participate in fairs and exhibitions, including in Mayfair and Battersea, much of my work is conducted privately with collectors and institutions.
Every armour, helmet and related work is researched and presented to the same standards I apply to restoration and scholarship. The aim is simple: to connect discerning collectors with authentic Japanese armour of exceptional quality.
Condition and integrity
Careful assessment of materials, restoration history and completeness.
Historical importance
Research that considers period, school, provenance and cultural context.
Trusted guidance
Clear, personal advice for new collectors, established collections and museums.
Discover available works, specialist publications and recent writing—or contact me to discuss a collection, acquisition or research enquiry.