82 - MYOCHIN MUNEKATSU: A FINE SEVENTY-TWO-PLATE RUSSET-IRON SUJIBACHI KABUTO

MYOCHIN MUNEKATSU: A FINE SEVENTY-TWO-PLATE RUSSET-IRON SUJIBACHI KABUTO By Myochin Munekatsu (active c. 1715), signed Kida Myochin Munekatsu Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely forged, the hachi (helmet bowl) constructed from seventy-two iron plates, their raised seams forming the elegantly radiating ridges characteristic of the sujibachi type. The crown surmounted by a four-stage mixed-metal tehen kanamono with chrysanthemum-form fittings, the back mounted with an agemaki-no-kan (ring fitting). The gently curved mabisashi (peak) lacquered red to the underside, the lower edge of the bowl pierced with a series of holes for attachment of the shikoro (neck guard). Signed to the interior KIDA MYOCHIN MUNEKATSU. WIDTH 30 cm WEIGHT 1,462 g Provenance: Christie's, Important Japanese Swords, Armor, and Tsuba, 14 November 1967, London, lot 146 (part lot). From a British private collection, acquired at the above sale. With an old inscription reading ‘battlespy’ incised along the underside of the rim. Condition: Good condition with expected wear, scattered age cracks and losses to the lacquer. Myochin Munekatsu (active c. 1715) was a distinguished armor maker who resided in Edo, Musashi Province, and also worked in the northern domains of Sendai and Aizu. According to Sasama Yoshihiko, Munekatsu issued authentication certificates asserting his position as the legitimate successor to the Myochin school. However, he appears to have been excluded from its principal lineage in Edo and subsequently relocated to Sendai, where he instructed local armorers. As several armor makers bore the name Munekatsu, the additional name Kida (木田) in the present signature is particularly significant, supporting its attribution to the master associated with the Sendai domain. Auction comparison: Compare a related thirty-eight-plate russet-iron sujibachi kabuto, signed Myochin Munekatsu saku, dated 18 th-19 th century, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 23 March 2004, New York, lot 265 (sold for USD 3,346 or approx. EUR 5,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).