This is a very interesting late Edo period (19th century) kawari kabuto (unusual helmet). The term kawari kabuto refers to unusually shaped helmets that were especially popular in the late Sengoku era ,16th century, and into the 17th century. This kabuto (helmet) is formed into the shape of a Chinese court cap. A description is as follows:
The interior bowl (hachi) is an iron zunari kabuto decorated with a top structure designed as a Chinese court official hat and lacquered brown. The five-lame shikoro (neck guard) with small fukigaeshi (turn-backs) is also lacquered brown while displaying family crests, and the shikoro (neck protector) is laced in blue sugake odoshi style of lacing. The front displays a simple gilt-copper maedate representing the sun. It is also fitted with large protruding ushirodate [back fitting extensions] of dark lacquered wood. The helmet liner is intact so I do not know if the hachi is signed or not.
The family crest displayed on the fukigaeshi is that of the Murakami family or Murakami-gun who were basically pirates on the Seto-nai-kai (inland sea). Overall, it makes for a fascinating piece of Samurai history!
SOLD
