Manuscript Books of Samurai Armour and Accessories by Arisawa Takesada
[Japan] Two volume set of this superb 'Illustrated Guide to Military Equipment' (Title in Japanese: 'Heikinomaki Zukai') written by Arisawa Takesada in 1708. Each volume is dated at the rear Hoei 5 (1708) though these two books are probably from the mid to late 1700s. The illustrations are high quality, nicely coloured and detailed. Arisawa (1682-1739) was a military scholar from Kanazawa during the early to mid-Edo period. Following the end of a period of intense civil strife when there was a sustained peace in Japan, he is thought to have undertaken research into the armour and weapons once employed in battle.
Total of 192 pages (with 180 of those being illustrated).
Each volume 22.5 ×16cm
In good condition. Covers with some wear and repaired worm trails. Internally good with some old worm trails mostly affecting the margins and not the illustrations. Corners of first volume a bit bent. In recent folding case. m37101991
