The Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armour

The Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armour

  • View full screen - View 2 of Lot 11. A rare suji-bachi [helmet with raised ridges] | Signed Fusamune and kao [cursive monogram] | Muromachi period, 16th century.
  • View full screen - View 3 of Lot 11. A rare suji-bachi [helmet with raised ridges] | Signed Fusamune and kao [cursive monogram] | Muromachi period, 16th century.
  • View full screen - View 2 of Lot 11. A rare suji-bachi [helmet with raised ridges] | Signed Fusamune and kao [cursive monogram] | Muromachi period, 16th century.
  • View full screen - View 3 of Lot 11. A rare suji-bachi [helmet with raised ridges] | Signed Fusamune and kao [cursive monogram] | Muromachi period, 16th century.

The Property of a European Gentleman

A rare suji-bachi [helmet with raised ridges] | Signed Fusamune and kao [cursive monogram] | Muromachi period, 16th century

UK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Lot Closed

May 16, 12:11 PM GMT

Estimate

7,000 - 10,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

The Property of a European Gentleman

A rare suji-bachi [helmet with raised ridges]

Signed Fusamune and kao [cursive monogram]

Muromachi period, 16th century 


the sixty-two plate russet iron bowl with raised ridges, russet iron peak, the shakudo rim chased and engraved with foliate scrolls, red lacquer underside


The bowl to peak: 29.6 cm., 10½ in.


Please note that the lot is sold without the display stand illustrated. 

Fusamune is considered to be a pupil of Nobuie. He worked for several years under Nobuie, before becoming independent in 1529. There are thought to be only nine helmets known with his signature made over a twelve-year period (1529, 1531, 1534, 1535, 1536, 1537, 1538 and 1540). A study by Robert Burawoy mentions that the masters did not produce more than two helmets in a given year.


For a further example of a suji-bachi by Fusamune in the Stibbert Museum, Florence, see Robert Burawoy, Études du Meiko Zukan: Armuriers du Japon XVIe-XVIIIe siècle, (Paris, 2008), p. 81.