Ryūbu-men, samurai iron mask signed Munesada

Edo period, ca. 1770

Signature: Myōchin Minbu Ki no Munesada kore o tsukuru

明珎民部紀宗定造之

Provenance:
A. P. Arman Collection

Literature:

• IIda K., Katchū-men Momonofu no Kasō (Tōken shunjū shinbunsha: Tōkyō, 1991), Cat. 44
• Armures japonaises dans la collection Arman, Paris, Salon International des Musées et des Expositions, 1992
• Charbonnier, J.-C., Casques, Masques et Armures des Seigneurs de l’ancien Japon (Toriilinks: Paris, 2003). Pag. 116

This samurai mask is made of heavy iron, which is expertly forged and crafted. The lines are pronounced, and the openwork decorations on the ears and applications are accurate. The surface is finished with a light yasurime, and the signature is sharply chiseled. Under the chin, the sweat drainage hole is embellished with a long odayori-gane, as typical of the menpo of “Myōchin Ki” smiths.

According to the Myōchin genealogy of the Asano family, Munesada was the son and pupil of the famous Muneakira,who had studied under Munesuke. He worked for the Asano family, and since he signed with the clan name “Ki“ we can assume that he studied in Edo under the Myōchin main line.