All text and information in this series is copied from the exhibit and its supporting material, not my writing.
All photos are by Brenna Reistad.
The helmet (kabuto) is one of the most distinguished components of samurai armor. It evolved from the Kamakura period (1185–1333) through the early Edo period (1615–1868). Early helmet styles are characterized by low and rounded helmet bowls (ōboshi) made up of several iron plates held together with visible or hidden rivets.
Certain helmets known as suji kabuto were designed with protruding edges. Over time, many helmets were modified with ornaments. With the introduction of firearms, battlefields often became blanketed with thick gun smoke, confusing the troops. For easier identification, samurai began to wear helmets with outlandish ornaments at the front, back, or sides. These adornments, either on the helmet or the mask, are derived from animals, insects, sea creatures, and religious motifs, reflecting the samurai’s values and beliefs.
The shape of the helmet bowl itself eventually became an important identifying feature. Made of papier-mâché or light wood in elaborate shapes, these superstructures were placed over the iron bowl of the helmet to distinguish commanding officers and warriors. These types of helmets, kawari kabuto, became characteristic of the “present-day equipment” (tōsei gusoku) of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Bamen Sadao
Helmet
Japanese
Dates unknown
Ridged Helmet (sujibachi kabuto) and Half Mask (menpō),
Helmet
14th–16th century
Mask
late 16th–early 17th century
Iron, copper, shakudō, gold, lacing, wood, leather, horsehair
This traditional helmet is distinguished by its sixty-two-plate bowl, mustached half mask, and sculpted figure of Fudō Myōō— the Immovable One. In the teachings of Buddhism’s esoteric schools, Fudō Myōō is described as the wrathful form of the Cosmic Buddha, a deity of great powers who destroys all impediments to enlightenment.
Myōchin Nobuie
Japanese
1496–1564
Multi‑Plate Ridged Helmet (sujibachi kabuto)
1539
Iron, silver, copper, leather, lacing
The visor of this magnificent helmet is adorned with dragons, while floral motifs decorate each of the bowl’s thirty-two plates. The piece is inscribed with an invocation to Hachiman Daibosatsu, the patron god of warriors and divine protector of Japan.
Muneyuki III
Japanese
Active late 14th century
Hemispherical Ridged Helmet (daienzan sujibachi kabuto), ca. 1380 Iron, gold, bronze, leather, lacing The bowl of this helmet, constructed of thirty-four separate plates, dates to the late 14th century. The helmet was restored later in the Edo period to suit the taste of its owner, which was not an uncommon practice. It was remounted with a new visor, turned-back deflectors, and neck guard. Also from this later date are the giltbronze ornament holder above the visor and the medallions bearing the Mizuno family crest.
Large Riveted Helmet (ōboshi hoshi‑ bachi kabuto)
13th–14th century
Iron, lacquer, gold, bronze, lacing
This helmet’s low, rounded bowl is composed of thirty-four plates held together with protruding rivets. The warrior may have passed his hair through the opening at the top. Like many helmets of its time, this one was modified at a later date. The visor, side crests, and front crest holder were added during the 15th century. At some point, the helmet bowl received a thin coat of lacquer.
Single‑Plate Helmet (ichimai kabuto) Representing Fukurokuju
ca. 1600
Iron, copper
Made from a single sheet of iron, this helmet demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship by the maker. It represents Fukurokuju, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, who, according to legend, had a very high forehead, identifiable here by his elongated head.
Head‑Shaped Helmet (zunari kabuto)
ca. 1600
Iron, fur, gold, lacing, lacquer, copper
This helmet imitates a human head with a topknot in the style worn by Japanese warriors. Bear fur was chosen to simulate human hair.
Steep‑Sided Helmet (kittate kawari kabuto)
Late 16th–early 17th century
Iron, lacquer, papier-mâché, lacing
This helmet is among the few Momoyamaperiod examples to retain its original ornaments. Its shape recalls the cliffs at Ichinotani, the site of a famous 12th-century battle. The side crests represent a combination of hare’s ears—symbolizing courage and longevity—and bovine horns, which allude to both tranquility and power. The frontal crest is a painted wooden oni, a horned demon that is seen in Japanese folklore as both mischievous and protective.
Foreign‑Influenced Helmet (nanban kabuto)
ca. 1600
Iron, silver, lacquer, leather
Nanban, or literally, “southern barbarians,” was the Japanese term for the European missionaries and traders who came to Japan during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This helmet is an exquisite Japanese adaptation of the crested morion helmets worn by Portuguese and Spanish soldiers at that time. It is constructed of six wide iron plates, each adorned with an openwork overlay design of abstracted floral scrolls and a silvered mythical creature.
Foreign Influenced Helmet (nanban kabuto)
Late 16th–early 17th century
Iron, gold, lacquer, lacing
In the mid-16th century, when trade took place between Asian and European countries, Western culture began to influence the style of Japanese armor. This peach-shaped helmet is very similar to more than two hundred helmets in the Tachibana family’s collection in the Tachibana Museum in Fukuoka, Kyushu Island. It is said that this type of gold-leaf helmet was an iconic component for the Tachibana warriors fighting on the battlefield during the late 16th century.
Foreign‑Influenced Helmet (nanban kabuto)
Early 17th century
Iron, gold, silver, leather, lacing
This helmet, an example of a design inspired by European helmets, is constructed of six large plates, each of which exhibits a honeycomb pattern of applied iron. The inlaid designs in silver and gold are stylized Buddhist emblems.
Military Hat (jingasa)
Late 16th–early 18th century
Iron, brocade, gold, bronze, shakudō
With its broad, spreading brim and short crown, this hat mimics the shape of the traditional Korean scholar’s hat known as a gat. In an effort to imitate European headgear, the craftsman embellished the inside with a brocade lining featuring a design of dragons among clouds.
Foreign‑Influenced Half Mask (nanban menpō)
Late 16th–early 17th century
Iron, horsehair, lacquer
To the Japanese of the 16th and 17th centuries, one of the most distinguishing characteristics of Europeans was their long nose. This innovative and unique half mask’s exaggerated nose gently pokes fun at foreigners.
Flesh‑Colored Half Mask (menpō)
18th century
Iron, lacquer, horsehair, lacing
This half mask was lacquered in a pink tone to imitate the complexion of Europeans.
Chin Guard (hōate)
17th century
Iron, lacing
Usually made of iron, masks provided total or partial protection for a samurai’s face and throat and were categorized by the level of protection they provided. This type, hōate, covered only the chin and cheeks.
Half Mask (menpō) with Chain Mail
17th–18th century
Iron, lacquer, lacing
An unusual feature of this mask is the chain mail protecting the mouth; it provided superior defense against arrow or spear attacks.
Half Mask (menpō) with Design of Plum Branches
18th–19th century
Iron, horsehair, leather, lacing, lacquer
Grooved with fine, subtle parallel lines, this half mask’s cheeks are adorned with applied plum-blossom branches.
Full-Face Mask (sōmen)
17th century
Iron, lacquer, leather, silk, lacing, horsehair
A full-face mask provided the most protection, but it hampered the peripheral vision of the samurai, who might opt for a half mask or chin guard instead. This remarkably expressive mask from the Myōchin School of smiths is designed to resemble a character called okina (old man) from Noh drama. Three separate plates form the mask: a nose plate and an upper and lower plate.
Myōchin Muneharu
helmet
Japanese
active mid-19th century
Myōchin Muneyoshi
chest armor
Japanese
1530–1603
Armor of the Mogamidō
Type, helmet
mid-19th century
Armor
1849
Iron, gold, bronze, silk, leather, lacquer
Mogamidō-type armor features a chest piece made of horizontal plates held together by widely spaced parallel lacing. This one bears the names of two black - smiths from the Myōchin School. The artist who crafted the helmet, Myōchin Muneharu, is known for creating a suit of armor that was a diplomatic gift from a Tokugawa shogun to Queen Victoria (1819–1901).
Kojima Munenao Japanese
Active mid–late 18th century
High‑Sided Ridged Helmet (kōshōzan sujibachi kabuto)
ca. 1750
Iron, lacing, leather, gilt bronze, lacquer
This type of helmet is very rare; its construction technique, invented by renowned armorer Myōchin Nobuie, constitutes an artistic feat. The helmet bowl is formed of 120 plates riveted together to create a perfectly symmetrical and harmonious shape. This example bears the Inaba family crest; their leader became a daimyō in 1588.
Head‑Shaped Helmet (zunari kabuto)
18th century
Iron, lacquer, leather
Inspired by a helmet style that was introduced toward the end of the 16th century, this low, rounded helmet bowl resembles the shape of a human head, complete with flesh-toned lacquer for the skin, black lacquer for the hair and eyebrows, and even detachable ears. The stylized headband, knotted on the forehead to absorb sweat, is a symbol of the samurai’s perseverance and endurance.
Military Hat (shingen jingasa)
18th–19th century
Lacquered leather, gilt copper, cords The jingasa, a lightweight style of hat with a shallow bowl and wide brim, came into wide use in the late 16th century as headgear for foot soldiers. Commanders wore them when traveling, as they were more comfortable than regular helmets.
Eboshi‑Shaped Helmet (nagaeboshinari kabuto) with Big Dipper Constellation
17th century
Iron, lacquer, gold, lacing
The upper part of this helmet imitates the shape of an eboshi, the traditional formal headdress worn by adult males. A samurai youth received his first eboshi on the occasion of his coming-of-age ceremony at around twelve years of age. The embellished pattern of seven linked stars symbolizes the brightest stars in the Big Dipper constellation.
Samurai Armor Exhibit:
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