Katchushi Restoration

修復

Kanamono

金物

Kanamono are the soft metal fittings found adorning Japanese helmets and armour. Traditionally they are made from gilt copper 金銅 although, silver plated, Shakudo 赤銅 (copper alloy containing approx 4-5% gold)  and Kuromi-do 黒味銅 (copper alloy with 1% arsenic) are also encountered.

All our Kanamono are handmade to order using the same skilled techniques used in the past. Here you will not find any castings, stampings or machine made fittings, all too frequently seen for sale.

Fukurin 覆輪

Fukurin are the soft metal edgings frequently   found around the main and separate plates of an armour. They can be either plain or engraved. The examples shown below are made from patinated copper and are edging an iron Gyoyo (apricot leaf) and Watagami (shoulder strap).  I made the below examples (including all the ironwork) for a Kaga school armour that was missing one of its Gyoyo and Watagami.

Hachiman-za 八幡座

Hachiman-za or as they are sometimes called Tehen Kanamono 天辺金物 are the  soft metal (sometimes iron) decorative fitting found at the apex of the Kabuto 兜 (helmet). They are made from seperate plates, either pierced, embossed or engraved and are held together by a central copper tube.  The below examples were special commisions for clients.

Agemaki no Kan 揚巻の鐶

These are decorative rings often found at the rear of the Kabuto 兜 or Jingasa 陣笠 and the front of the Do 胸 (breastplate).They are found made from either gilt or silvered copper or sometimes iron. Originally, they were used for tying a small identification flag to, but later they were replaced with a small silk bow tied to resemble a dragonfly known as an Agemaki 揚巻.