Dave N Japan
Bronze Member
Many years ago now. I found some interesting things at one of the local castle sites.
I found a Seppa that goes on each side of the guard of a Katana and I also found a Menuki and that goes under the wrap on the handle for decoration.
Was not sure even what these items were till much later. I also found a chunk of brass that I thought was junk at the time,but kept anyway because it was found near the other items.
I actually had a Archaeologist that was working at a other Castle site confirm the seppa and they even took pictures and drew an outline of it, but let me keep it...How cool is that? I thought for sure it was a goner. They didn't even say stop doing that yada..yada..yada like in the states or Europe.
The one Seppa was found at a other castle site that was kind of small and not on any tourist map. The funny thing about that one is that I found it in the crack of these big stone steps that lead up to the top of the stronghold. I often wondered if there was a fight on the steps and the Seppa came off during the fight.
The plate that is in the picture I kept for years because I thought I could see some kind of engraving on it,but it had a heavy patina and dirt on it. I finally decided to clean it and ran it though the tumble for a little. Low and behold it did have some engraving on it. A big Chrysanthemum right in the middle, as some of you know this flower has always been part of the military and is a symbol of the royalty in Japan. I was very happy to see that. By the way it looked, I was thinking it might be part of armor and it also has a slight curve to it as does body armor.
Looking through may types of armor and there is many different types, I hit a picture and there it was, anyway in my eyes it was. Take a look and see if you see anything of this suit of armor that looks like it. Of course the picture is a high class suit of armor and my guy was I think a little lower class than that one. If you notice the hole even looks like it was made for a cord to go through.
I know there was minor battles here between the three kingdoms here for many years before they came under one rule. Then the Japanese also invaded in 1609 and there were some battles then too and the Okinawan's lost and they took the king back to Kagoshima as a hostage.
Anyway, Thank for reading my long post and let me know what you think...think positive"
I found a Seppa that goes on each side of the guard of a Katana and I also found a Menuki and that goes under the wrap on the handle for decoration.
Was not sure even what these items were till much later. I also found a chunk of brass that I thought was junk at the time,but kept anyway because it was found near the other items.
I actually had a Archaeologist that was working at a other Castle site confirm the seppa and they even took pictures and drew an outline of it, but let me keep it...How cool is that? I thought for sure it was a goner. They didn't even say stop doing that yada..yada..yada like in the states or Europe.
The one Seppa was found at a other castle site that was kind of small and not on any tourist map. The funny thing about that one is that I found it in the crack of these big stone steps that lead up to the top of the stronghold. I often wondered if there was a fight on the steps and the Seppa came off during the fight.
The plate that is in the picture I kept for years because I thought I could see some kind of engraving on it,but it had a heavy patina and dirt on it. I finally decided to clean it and ran it though the tumble for a little. Low and behold it did have some engraving on it. A big Chrysanthemum right in the middle, as some of you know this flower has always been part of the military and is a symbol of the royalty in Japan. I was very happy to see that. By the way it looked, I was thinking it might be part of armor and it also has a slight curve to it as does body armor.
Looking through may types of armor and there is many different types, I hit a picture and there it was, anyway in my eyes it was. Take a look and see if you see anything of this suit of armor that looks like it. Of course the picture is a high class suit of armor and my guy was I think a little lower class than that one. If you notice the hole even looks like it was made for a cord to go through.
I know there was minor battles here between the three kingdoms here for many years before they came under one rule. Then the Japanese also invaded in 1609 and there were some battles then too and the Okinawan's lost and they took the king back to Kagoshima as a hostage.
Anyway, Thank for reading my long post and let me know what you think...think positive"
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