Momoyama kabuto
This item has been sold.
Dimensions

Dome 17 cm high, 19 cm wide, 23 cm deep

Height with neck guard 24 cm

Height with maedate 62 cm

Width of maedate 36.5 cm

 

Weight

Total weight 1798 gram

Materials

Iron/steel, paper-mâché, silk, plant fiber, cotton, urushi lacquer, boar hair, rooster feathers

Origin

Japan

Dating

Momoyama period (1568-1600)

Sold

Interested?
Anything similar for sale?

Contact me

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.

Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo
Momoyama period gold lacquered kabuto with maedate and menpo

Do you have anything for sale?

I might be interested in buying it.

Contact me
Currently available:

Carved out of copper alloy with details highlighted in gold.

€250,-

Very delicate work with carved guardian lions.

€500,-

Of a copper alloy with a different shade on each side.

€2600,-

Unusual tsuba with foreign figures and Chinese auspicious symbols.

€1800,-

Pierced and chiseled showing an 18th century European vessel.

€475,-

Very finely carved with designs reminiscent of export wares.

€500,-