A13340/1

Japanese helmet (kabuto) from a panoply of Samurai armour (see A13340); probably late Edo period; above the eyeline is modelled a demon's face; the helmet bowl and facial features are trimmed with black fur, possibly bear; the sides of the helmet were originally flanked with two wooden curved horns (wakidate); the metalwork has a coating of dark brown lacquer to decorate and protect the steel from corrosion; the back of the neck is protected by 3 bands of lamellar armour (shikoro); a few remnants of the helmet's textile lining survives; generally the condition of this helmet is poor; the lacquer finish is generally fair, but the fur is thin in patches and shedding slightly; one horn is missing, the other incomplete; considerable conservation would be required to bring this up to display standard.

19th century

Japanese helmet, Japanese armour

metal, textile, lacquer, leather, fur