Avalon Field Trip -- A Visit with Mr. Miura

[Noe]

The folks here in Avalon enjoyed an interesting visit with Mr. Miura, the only armourer in Japan to focus on European armour. About ten of us decended on his little shop in Northeastern Tokyo and imposed upon his time.

Mr. Miura began about twenty years ago pretty much the same way that all of us have, obsessing with armour. When not working his real job as a law clerk, he tinkered with steel. However, at that time there wasn't a reenactment community here in Japan, the Internet was unavailable, and he had no one with whom he could discuss armouring. Nevertheless, he set out to teach himself the necessary skills.

The results are amazing. At his tiny little shop/office he had a 16th century peascod and a suit of maximillian plate that he had made.

http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/noyes/miura/maximillian.jpg

http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/noyes/miura/peascod.jpg

http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/noyes/miura/Miura.jpg

Both suits were designed to be as authentic as possible, down to the weight and thicknesses of their individual plates. Nice does not even begin to describe it. Clean, crisp fluting. Handmade buckles and hinges. The action on the helm visors was smooth and were secured with wonderful spring pins. The 16th century peascod armour and matching armet were covered with with beautifully etched designs. I think that it is the most authentic armour that I have ever had the opportunity to handle.

What is amazing -- and frustrating -- is that he developed the skills to make such armour in nearly complete isolation from the armouring community. His level of detail was made possible by intense study and close correspondence with the curator of the British Museum.

And then there were his tools, or lack of them. Mr. Miura made the armour that you see in the pics using only hand tools: Hammers, files, and handpunches. He cut the steel for the armour with what were essentially sturdy tinsnips. Other than a variety of raising forms -- made from old-style round dumbells -- and polishing gear, that was about it. His entire collection of tools would fit in a footlocker. Nevertheless, his work has toured museums and art galleries in Japan, and has been recognized for its high level of authenticity.

Having worked in relative isolation, and not having fought in armour himself, there were some details that caused a slight jar. His gauntlet articulation was slightly tight, and he uses storebough washers inside the armour. However, these are quibbles. His work really is quite amazing.

Mr. Miura is a heck of a nice guy, and an extremely talented armourer. I hope that he and Avalon will be affiliated in the future.

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The defining characteristic of fanaticism is the inability to understand why everyone else is not a fanatic.

[Noe]

Erg. The Pics don't work. I'll try to get them fixed.

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The defining characteristic of fanaticism is the inability to understand why everyone else is not a fanatic.

[Rainald]

if you want I'll put them on my armourarchive at home page for you. just email them

[Noe]

Thanks, Ron, but JT just gave me one of my own. Thanks, JT.

Here are the Pics. They are fairly self-explanatory.

http://home.armourarchive.org/members/noe/maximillian.JPG

http://home.armourarchive.org/members/noe/peascod.JPG

Here is Mr. Miura modelling for us. Notice the push botton releases, the hidden rivets, and the roping, and the visor pivot. Cool stuff.

http://home.armourarchive.org/members/noe/Miura.JPG

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The defining characteristic of fanaticism is the inability to understand why everyone else is not a fanatic.

[This message has been edited by Noe (edited 02-18-2003).]

[Noe]

For your further interest, here is pretty much his total collection of tools. Not pictured are the various iron bits he hammers on, and the dumbell he uses for raising.

http://home.armourarchive.org/members/noe/tools1.JPG

http://home.armourarchive.org/members/noe/othertools.JPG

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The defining characteristic of fanaticism is the inability to understand why everyone else is not a fanatic.

[This message has been edited by Noe (edited 02-19-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Noe (edited 02-19-2003).]