Menpō is a general term to indicate a protection for the face in a Japanese samurai armor. It is generally made of iron but leather ones (nerikawa) are not rare.There are mainly three types of menpō: one that would cover only the chin (hanbo or...
The Japanese word "kawari" can be translated in many ways: unusual, extraordinary, eccentric, strange. When we associate it with the japanese word "kabuto" - helmet - all of these are true.The kawari category of helmets counts actually many different types that avoid the traditional classifications or...
The Subtle Profundity of Japanse ArtSome of the most important differences between Western and Eastern art originate from the relationship between the artists and the external world. Until modern times, European painters and sculptors have always aimed to reproduce reality, creating something new with their...
Jizai Okimono are realistically shaped figures of animals made from iron, copper, shibuichi or shakudo. Their bodies and limbs are articulated, and can be moved like real animals; among these figures, we can find models of dragons, birds, fishes, snakes, lobsters, crabs and insects.There are...
I often notice some confusion about netsuke: what is and what is not a netsuke, what they were used for and how, when they were made, and so on.As a form of art, it is quite straight: they are miniature sculptures (well, at least the...
Negoro lacquer wares were produced in Negoro-ji, the head temple of the Shinai Shingon sect of Buddhism. During medieval times, Negoro utensils were used in shrines and temples related to Negoro-ji for everyday use and for ritual purposes. A very important part of enjoying Negoro...
At first sight, one might think Japanese samurai armors all look similar and their value is more or less the same. They are not. At all.So, what should one look for when buying a samurai armor? What are the features that can determine a high...
To understand how Japanese works of art are dated, here you are a list of the periods and their peculiarities. (Source: Wikipedia) Jomon (縄文時代) from origins to 300 BC circa The name "cord-marked" was first applied by the American scholar Edward S. Morse who...
