Description

A fine kabuto (helmet) with iron menpo (face mask) of the Momoyama period (1568-1600 A.D.) The helmet bowl is of zunari kabuto form made of five iron plates, riveted together. The whole is covered with golden urushi lacquer. The neck defense consists of five layers of lamellae made of lacquered leather, four red ones, and a golden one at the bottom. On top of the helmet pride two ornaments, the maedate (前立, front ornament) and the ushirodate (後立, rear ornament).

Maedate & ushirodate

The piece comes with a golden tentsuki maedate towering above the helmet. Such maedate are associated with the Ii clan of Mikawa province, a prominent samurai clan. One of its most famous members was Ii Naomasa, Tokugawa Ieyasu's son-in-law and one of his most important generals. It is said among collectors that only the mainline was allowed to wear such gold maedate, the others wore silver. The ushirodate is a half-circle with a number of rooster feathers on top, curling backward.

Menpo

The face mask is of russet iron with red urushi lacquered inside. The nose is a separate piece. It has a menacing face and a thick bushy mustache made of boar's hair.

Restorations

The chin straps and their attachment points are recent additions. Some basic conservation has been performed on the lacquer, otherwise in original condition.