Daibutsu, Kamakura

Daibutsu, Kamakura
Daibutsu in Kamakura, June 2010. There were thousands of school kids visiting that day. It was still great fun.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Authentic? samurai armor

At a Japanese ceramics store in Little Tokyo Los Angeles, there is a display of samurai armor (see below). I am not at all an expert on armor but I asked the Japanese lady working there if it was authentic samurai armor. She stated it was but that she did not have any information on the armor which seems odd if it is authentic. It may be a language issue and she misunderstood what I meant by authentic. In any case, the armor is for sale but I do not recall exactly how much, over a thousand dollars, maybe more.

Does the armor look familiar to anyone. It is in really good condition except for some dust and one of the plates has detached on the skirt (I don't know the technical term). If the photos don't post, you can see them here as well.



7 comments:

  1. I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but if it is authentic, it doesn't look that old or even used.

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  2. I have been informed by someone at Samurai Archives that authentic armor could also refer to a modern but authentic remake. I assume meaning it is authentic traditional design and materials (leather, silk cords etc.) rather than modern synthetic (fake) material such as plastics and nylon cord. But I still am not certain as the store employees had no information. Maybe they just didn't want to waste their time with me.

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  3. It looks like a modern remake. If it was authentic, it would have a provenance, or documented history.

    Here is a link to some armor from inside Matsuyama Castle.

    Inside Matsuyama Castle

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  4. I know this Yoroi. It's located by my dojo. It's a modren replica. Go to the Benihana in Santa Monica you'll see an identical set. Ot's similar in quality to that you can find at http://www.samurai-store.com/armor.

    BTW - Shinkendo Dojo is moving from 3rd Street in Little Tokyo.

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  5. Thanks for the feedback on the armor.

    lasamurai, where is your dojo moving to?

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  6. Anonymous10:48 PM

    they should place this at the samurai maid cafe, it would be a big draw
    http://www.japansugoi.com/wordpress/first-maid-cafes-now-samurai-maid-cafes/

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  7. There are no maid cafes in Los Angeles. But I wonder if one maybe would do well.

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