Book Review: Daimyō Seigneurs de la guerre By Chantal Kozyreff

[Jo Anseeuw]

Title: Daimyō Seigneurs de la guerre
Author: Chantal Kozyreff
Publisher: Europalia Japan in Belgium 89, 1989
Language: French
Illustrations: Color pictures
Other: 87 pages, 30 cm by 23 cm, softcover
Topics: Bugu, Kabuto, Katchū, Menpō
ID: B0177

Nice catalog from the big ‘Europalia 89″ exhibition that was held in Belgium. Contains mostly famous kawari kabuto. That exhibition was with full collaboration of the Japanese Armor Society, something they are still very proud of, and rightly so. Several high level members like Mr. Orikasa (Saotome specialist) and Mr. Miura (Armour maker) flew over and stayed for a while in order to set up the exhibition and do demonstrations. Not all items are illustrated in the catalog.

[Luc Taelman]

Another great memory. I heard that Miura is quite ill and in a nursery for elder people since a while?

[Jo Anseeuw]

A few weeks ago, we had the general assembly of the armor society here in Japan, and I heard from some senior members that he was indeed not well and in a kind of home. Probably not able to work anymore. His name came up in the meeting as the armor society wants to submit a request to make Miura san a Living National Treasure (would be the first armorer to have that honor). But some technicalities need to be solved first.

I still remember my visit to that exhibition in Liege, and that when I was there, I was disappointed I missed a demo given by Miura san. Little did I know that many years later I would get to know him and also work with Orikasa san (and you!) on a book....

[Jo Anseeuw]

I forgot to add that, as mentioned in one of the sub forums on this forum, there is also a later version with all the pictures. Took me years to find one after I knew of it's existence. Before somebody asks: not sure if I will find another one, as I have no idea how many were made, and I believe/think only (?) the owners of the kabuto's on loan probably got one (or a few). So could be you will need to buy a kabuto that was then on display to get the book. Nice excuse...

[Piers Dowding]

Jo, very nice and thank you for posting that. Makes me somehow jealous, though. Where does this evil emotion come from?

Can you tell me what it says about the Kabuto and wakidate on the cover?

[Jo Anseeuw]

Piers.It says Koro orushi nuri zunari with Owabi Wakidate and mengu
2.3 kg, 19th century
Mentions also that Zunari were by high (daimyo) and low class warriors.
This one is an Ettchu zunari.
The wakidate are coverted with leather in repousse wih the maruni mitsuken mon
Maedate kurihongetsu

It is part of a full set (okegawa nimaido)

Jo

[Piers Dowding]

Thanks Jo, very interesting. The Wakidaté awabi (abalone) are covered in leather!