THE PROPERTY OF A EUROPEAN GENTLEMAN

A suji kabuto (helmet) and menpo (face mask)
Helmet signed Koka ni midoshi hachigatsu Hirosaki (no) ju Myochin ki (no) Munekata (Myochin ki Munekata at Hirosaki in the eighth month of 1845), menpo signed Myochin ki (no) Muneho, Edo period (C. 1845)
The helmet an eighteen plate iron suji bachi (ridged bowl) lacquered in sabi-nuri (simulation of rusted iron), the hachimanza (decorative surround to the central aperture in the crown) of four tiers of gilt and silver, matching sabinuri shikoro (neck guard) of three tiers of itazane (solid sheet), the fukigaeshi (turned-back portion of the shikoro) clad with stenciled leather, and with gilt cherry blossom mon (badge), with copper alloy fukurin (edging), mabisashi (peak) fixed with three rivets, maedate (forecrest) of a gilt wood poised dragon, Ressei (fierce expression) type menpo (face mask) of sabi-nuri with three tier itazane yodare-kake (bib).

The kabuto accompanied by a certificate as Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo (especially valuable material) by the Nihon Katchu Bugu Kenkyu Hozon Kai (Society for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Armour) number 1533 issued on 22nd November in 2009
The menpo accompanied by a certificate as Tokubetsu Kicho Shiyo (especially valuable material) by the Nihon Katchu Bugu Kenkyu Hozon Kai (Society for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Armour) number 1532 issued on 22nd November in 2009