Cover of David Thatcher’s book on Japanese samurai armour, kabuto, mengu and jingasa
Japanese samurai armour with horned kabuto helmet and mengu face mask featured in David Thatcher’s signed hardback book
Preface page from David Thatcher’s book on Japanese samurai armour, describing his research and work with the Watanabe Art Museum
Introduction page from David Thatcher’s book explaining Japanese samurai armour, kabuto helmets, mengu face masks and jingasa
Japanese samurai armour with kabuto helmet, menpo face mask and red lacquered gunbai war fan
Japanese samurai kabuto helmet with an elaborate spiked animal crest and green-laced shikoro neck guard
Illustrated terminology diagram identifying the principal parts of a Japanese samurai kabuto helmet
Book page describing a Kiri-Take Kabuto cut-bamboo Japanese samurai helmet dating from the Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo period
Black lacquered Kiri-Take kawari kabuto with six-lame Hineno-jikoro neck guard from the Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo period
Japanese samurai armour with a horned kabuto beneath a blue brocade hood, menpo face mask and floral crests
Complete Hatomune dō gusoku Japanese samurai armour with kabuto helmet and menpo face mask
Japanese samurai wearing a lacquered jingasa hat and kimono with a daishō pair of swords
Nineteenth-century marugata jingasa with raised dragon decoration and a central gilt fitting
Cover of David Thatcher’s book on Japanese samurai armour, kabuto, mengu and jingasa
Japanese samurai armour with horned kabuto helmet and mengu face mask featured in David Thatcher’s signed hardback book
Preface page from David Thatcher’s book on Japanese samurai armour, describing his research and work with the Watanabe Art Museum
Introduction page from David Thatcher’s book explaining Japanese samurai armour, kabuto helmets, mengu face masks and jingasa
Japanese samurai armour with kabuto helmet, menpo face mask and red lacquered gunbai war fan
Japanese samurai kabuto helmet with an elaborate spiked animal crest and green-laced shikoro neck guard
Illustrated terminology diagram identifying the principal parts of a Japanese samurai kabuto helmet
Book page describing a Kiri-Take Kabuto cut-bamboo Japanese samurai helmet dating from the Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo period
Black lacquered Kiri-Take kawari kabuto with six-lame Hineno-jikoro neck guard from the Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo period
Japanese samurai armour with a horned kabuto beneath a blue brocade hood, menpo face mask and floral crests
Complete Hatomune dō gusoku Japanese samurai armour with kabuto helmet and menpo face mask
Japanese samurai wearing a lacquered jingasa hat and kimono with a daishō pair of swords
Nineteenth-century marugata jingasa with raised dragon decoration and a central gilt fitting
Cover of David Thatcher’s book on Japanese samurai armour, kabuto, mengu and jingasa
Japanese samurai armour with horned kabuto helmet and mengu face mask featured in David Thatcher’s signed hardback book
Preface page from David Thatcher’s book on Japanese samurai armour, describing his research and work with the Watanabe Art Museum
Introduction page from David Thatcher’s book explaining Japanese samurai armour, kabuto helmets, mengu face masks and jingasa
Japanese samurai armour with kabuto helmet, menpo face mask and red lacquered gunbai war fan
Japanese samurai kabuto helmet with an elaborate spiked animal crest and green-laced shikoro neck guard
Illustrated terminology diagram identifying the principal parts of a Japanese samurai kabuto helmet
Book page describing a Kiri-Take Kabuto cut-bamboo Japanese samurai helmet dating from the Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo period
Black lacquered Kiri-Take kawari kabuto with six-lame Hineno-jikoro neck guard from the Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo period
Japanese samurai armour with a horned kabuto beneath a blue brocade hood, menpo face mask and floral crests
Complete Hatomune dō gusoku Japanese samurai armour with kabuto helmet and menpo face mask
Japanese samurai wearing a lacquered jingasa hat and kimono with a daishō pair of swords
Nineteenth-century marugata jingasa with raised dragon decoration and a central gilt fitting

Samurai Armour, Kabuto, Mengu & Jingasa — Signed Hardback

A specialist reference volume devoted to the study, appreciation and close examination of Japanese samurai armour, helmets, facial armour and jingasa.

This 220-page A4 book brings together detailed photography, historical commentary and specialist observations drawn from many years of handling, studying and restoring Japanese armour. Rather than treating armour as decorative exotica, this volume looks at the subject from the perspective of construction, use, condition, form, material, repair and connoisseurship.

The book examines kabuto, mengu and jingasa as objects of both function and identity. These were not merely items of military equipment. They reflected status, school, region, taste, period and the demands of the battlefield. Through carefully selected examples, the volume explores the visual language of armour, from lacquer, ironwork and textile detail to shape, surface, wear and restoration.

Designed for collectors, historians, martial artists, museums and those with a serious interest in Japanese arms and armour, this is a substantial printed reference work and not a general coffee-table publication. It is a specialist book produced for readers who want to look closely, compare details and understand what they are seeing.

SIGNED COPY

Educational printed reference book on Japanese samurai armour and history. 

£59.00
£59.00
Tax included.

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Highlight

  • A4 format
  • 220 pages
  • Perfect bound
  • Printed reference book
  • Specialist subject: Japanese samurai armour
  • Includes kabuto, mengu and jingasa
  • Printed on Semi Gloss 170gsm

Written and produced by David Thatcher

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