osusume en

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  CP.No.11 Letter from Mogami Yoshiaki

  A letter from Mogami Yoshiaki to Izumi Daizen-no-suke, house retainer of Sōma Yoshitane, Lord of Odaka Castle.
  The black seal used on this letter is in the design of a kanae, or tripod kettle.
  Yoshiaki was known to be a most faithful correspondent, and the letters he left behind show him to be possessed of penmanship skills equaled by few other generals of the Sengoku, or ‘Warring States’, period.

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  CP.No.12 Letter from Mogami Yoshiaki (replica)

  A letter from Mogami Yoshiaki to the monk Sonkai Shōnin of Hōdō-ji Temple.
  In this epistle, Yoshiaki makes use of two old poems to inquire after the health of the letter recipient.
  Written in his later life, after his 66th year, this letter demonstrates the depth of Yoshiaki’s knowledge of classical literature, as well as his refined sensibility.
  
  

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  CP.No.13 Renga Shinshiki (New Rules for Linked Verse), annotated by Mogami Yoshiaki

  In 1596, Yoshiaki compiled the rules for renga poetry in a single volume accompanied by his own commentary.
  It is thought that Yoshiaki penned a series of writings on his study of renga poetry during his time in Kyoto, later compiling them into this work.
  At the end of the volume, a postscript written by Yoshiaki is followed by another postscript composed by Satomura Jōha, the leading renga poet of the day.
  This work is a testament to Yoshiaki’s literary erudition along with his profound knowledge of renga poetry.
  
  

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  CP.No.14 Iron Baton, Iron Fan

  Passed down through the Mogami family, these two implements of warfare were used by Yoshiaki himself.
  The iron baton is 86.5 cm in length and weighs 1750 grams, making it as heavy as two swords.
  Inscribed on the surface of the baton is “Descendant of the Seiwa Emperor, Lord of Yamagata in Dewa, the Monk with Hair, Yoshiaki”, indicating Yoshiaki’s lineage and honorary title and attesting to his devout nature.
  Although the iron fan would originally have had a covering, this cover has been lost through the years, with only the iron spokes remaining.
  Weighing 575 g, this fan could be used not only as an actual fan, but also as an offensive weapon as well as for deflecting swords and arrows.

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  CP.No.15 38-Plate Gilt-Edged Ribbed Sujikabuto Helmet

  A helmet worn by Mogami Yoshiaki, said to have been a gift from Oda Nobunaga.
  
  The helmet bowl is an elegant example of craftsmanship from the early Muromachi period, while features including the shikoro (neckguard) and mabisashi (helmet visor) were reformed during Yoshiaki’s lifetime, when the “sparrows and bamboo” Mogami family crest was also added to the stylized helmet decoration.
  Worn by Yoshiaki during the Battle of Hasedō in 1600, the helmet was struck by an enemy bullet, but protected Yoshiaki from harm.
  A testament to the fierceness of the fighting, the helmet still bears the marks of this bullet. Weight, 3.1 kg.
  *The twin horned crest and central sword-shaped fixture were restored in March, 2008.