Rating: Jo Jo Saku (given to only 10% of armour makers)

Date: Mid-Edo (1655 to 1657)

Province:  Hitachi

Saotome Iyehisa was the son of the eighth master, Iyenaga.  This Iyehisa work is similar to the First Iyehisa from Momoyama times, but differs in the writing of Saotome in their signatures.  Work is Jo Jo saku rated which is the same as the First generation. (Kei Chappelear)

This sixty-two plate helmet is signed: Saotome Iyehisa.  Each plate is a shallow S-shape section  and has a standing ridge which tapers only towards the top.  The four standing rivets (shiten-no-byo) and loops of braid are set very high on the bowl.  The peak (mabisashi) is held with three rivets and the edge is trimmed in a solid silver with engraving.  The fukigayeshi and mabisahi are lined with doeskin.  In addition, the shikoro lacings are of doeskin.