Kabuto signed Yoshimichi 義道
Hashi 32 plates iron suji-bashi from type Akodanari. This is an exquisite 32 plates russet iron helmet bowl with a curved suji up to tehen, double frontal suji, the shape elongated and slightly pointed at the front signed Yoshimichi (義道). The shape of the plates is slightly rounded giving the bowl an overall feeling that is typical of Yoshimichi. Each plate is attached by six rivets that have been smoothed down and are perfectly spaced apart. Attached to the front of the bowl by three large rivets is a one-piece iron mabisashi in typical koma-no-tsuma (horse hoof) with a Kadome “arrowhead end”, shape found in the work of Yoshimichi (義道) with the harai-date (maedate holder) conforming to this pattern. At the crown of the helmet, is a fantastic tehen-no-kanamono is comprised of nine layers of brass and copper decorative rings standing quite tall on the peak of the bowl.
There is no shikkoro, but the metal of the bowl is not fatigued in any respect and it is ready to have one mounted. Myochin Yoshimichi (明珍義道) is one of the three big makers of the early Myochin (明珍) line, he worked around 1521-1531 during the late Muromachiera. he is rated as a Sai Jo 1 maker, But Yoshimichi is an eminent armorer, the quality of the workmanship speaks volumes. Myochin Yoshimichi (明珍義道) is credited with the invention of the rounded type of helmet plate which provides for a small air space where the plated overlap. This feature was said to weaken the impact of an arrow.
This helmet bowl exhibits those characteristics. Exhibited at the Gallery of Greater Victoria, Canada - “Return of the Samuraï” - 6/8 /2010 to 14/11/2010 Bibliography: Etude du Meikô Zukan : page 115-116
