Welcome to my Japanese arms, armour and antique restoration website. In this site you will find pictures and details of my work as a professional conservator/ restorer relating solely to these particular fields. My name is Robert A Soanes and I have been working in this field for over twenty years. I have studied under one of the best master armourers (Katchu-shi or Yoroi-shi) in Japan, Mr Nishioka Fumio and also his wife Mrs Nishioka Chizuru (an expert in the field of ‘Kumihimo’ or hand woven silk braids and also traditional dyeing techniques using plant and vegetable dyes). Through their wealth of experience and their kindness I have learnt invaluable knowledge and skills, which one can only obtain from serious study with masters of their crafts.

My qualifications include a post-graduate diploma in the Conservation/ Restoration of Fine Metalwork at the prestigious and internationally renowned West Dean College here in England. In addition, I have been most fortunate in having been encouraged and helped over the years by some of the most influential people in the armour world. Most notable is Mr Ian Bottomley of the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, England without whose help and encouragement I would never have obtained what I thought was impossible. Also at the Royal Armouries I have been involved in some memorable work including being filmed sword making for the Yorkshire television series ‘Decisive Weapons’ and also assisting Mr Ian Bottomley (behind the scenes) with the Shinto priests from the famous Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Japan with their fantastic ‘Yabusame’ (Mounted archery) display held at the ‘Tiltyard’ at the Royal Armouries in 2001.

I have made and restored many pieces for some of the most respected private collectors both in England, America, Hong Kong and Japan.

I am a member of the Nihon Katchu Bugu Kenkyu Hozon Kai (The society for the study and preservation of Japanese arms and armour (Tokyo branch)) in Japan and the National Aikido Federation (England).

All my work is entirely traditional and of the highest quality and hand crafted (absolutely no mass production) and I use only the highest quality raw materials obtained directly from specialist sources in Japan. Please take a look at my website and if I can be of any further assistance contact me