An iron Kabuto sujibachi with 62 plates

Hachimanza on the top is composed of 5 copper plates & shakudo
Kuwagata: stylized horns on the forehead, an ancient belief holds that deer are the messengers of the deities, the base is fitted with a shichi ressei in high relief.
Shikoro, manju-style neck cover in lacquered iron in kiritsuke zane, laced with navy blue kebiki
Saotome Iesada.
Edo period, early 17th century.
Family crest of the Ken Hanabishi clan.

The gunsmith Saotome Iesada practiced in Hitachi Province, now Ibaraki Prefecture, at the beginning of the Edo period (1600-1868). The son of Saotome Ienari, Iesada was the fourth master of the highly regarded Saotome line of armorers, specializing in the production of sixty-two-plate helmets with raised crests ( suji-bachi ).

A ressei-type mempo completes the kabuto .

Ref: Includes issue No. 66 of "Kacch? Bugu Kenky?" magazine (reference material on Saotome-style helmets).

Provenance :
- Important Brussels Collector