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Anyone can enjoy learning to make dolls. We are always looking for students.
This is a kit of materials that you can make by yourself.
Search by Prefecture
Store ListAnyone can enjoy learning to make dolls. We are always looking for students.
This is a kit of materials that you can make by yourself.
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Edo Armorer
Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry
Traditional Craftwork, Edo Festival Doll
Traditional Craftsman
Kato Syungen
Helmet and Armor are Composite Art.
We have to make them individually.
That’s why there are very few armorers now.
Armorers Have to do All Kinds of Work—.Armorers have to do go from processing metals and leather to placing gold leaf and Japanese lacquer.
It takes at least 15 years, typically 20–25 years, to learn all the components of making armor and to be able to make a set of armor.
That’s why there are very few, if any, armorers now.
The armors from the Gempei period and the Nanboku-cho period were amazing.
However, the labor was divided:
・ Putting Japanese lacquer, making Kozane (armor platelets) and Odoshi (string of armor), manipulating metals, etc.
・ Making Kuwagata (hoe shapes) is the most important, because only a commanding general can place it.
・ Cutting copper plate with a chisel, file and hammer, and extending to stabilize a long Kuwagata.
Any way you look at it, the process requires a great deal of time to reach full and beautiful completion.
If I make a set of armor I can wear, it will take at least four and a half years.
Helmets and armor are really composite art.
The first Kato Shungen
加藤 峻厳
Kato Syungen
(The Third Son of the First Icchu/Real Name: Kato Ryo)
Edo Armorer
Traditional Craftsman of Traditional Craftwork, Edo Festival Doll designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry
Upon graduation of high school, he started armor-making for his family business and learned it thoroughly from his father, Icchu. He also had an armorer, Gotanda Hose, as his teacher and received the training of “making Kozane (armor platelets).”
Whenever the occasion arises, he conducts actual research on Japanese helmets and armor, and continues improving himself and studying hard even to the present day.
His uncle is the late Shuzan the second, his elder brother Icchu the second (real name: Hiroshi) and his second son is Kato Tomomi (real name: Tomoyoshi).
Received the Best Technique Prize (Gold Prize) at the 30th National New Festival Doll Contest in 2007.
Certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Traditional Craftwork, Edo Festival Doll in 2008.
