Kabuto Koshozan Sui Bashi at 32 plates - Lot 17

Kabuto Koshozan Sui Bashi at 32 plates Missing Shikoro Black lacquer, red interior Signed: SAOTOME IYE TADA 1580/1620 Hachimanza in shakudo Inside of helmet with EDO-period fabrics Lacquer cracked in places, small lacquer losses At the end of Momoyama, Saotome lye Tada worked with his father Nobu Yasu, adopted nephew of Mvoshin Nobuiye, this family made Tsuba and armor. It was during this period that the Saotome made the chrysanthemum-shaped sukashi tsuba that bears their name. For reasons of function, strength and resistance, as well as speed of manufacture and therefore cost, combat helmets had a limited number of plates. After the battle of Sekigahara and the long period of peace that followed, over 200 years later, armor and helmets became objects of pageantry and demonstration of the owner's power. The Saotome school became famous for its 62-blade Sui Kabuto. These works and those of subsequent generations were signed Joshu* ju Saotome lye Tada, lye Naga, lye Sada, lye Masa etc... 16 generations. This family was vassal of the Sakai clan 1550/1650 The works of SAOTOME IYE TADA are highly sought-after, and some experts consider him the SHODAI of the SAOTOME school. *JOSHU Hitachi province