SAMURAI KAJI KABUTO helmet armor japanese jingasa hat

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A Very Unique Edo era Kaji Kabuto. With the coming of peace after the Sengoku jidai (Warring States era) the samurai no longer had wars to fight and were obliged to find new ways to occupy their time and maintain their status in society. Naturally, policing and firefighting duties were obvious candidates as they provided suitably high-profile (and manly) positions of authority. See below for more on headwear history. This kaji (firefighting) kabuto, while of typical shape, is unusually ornate. More typical models have rivets between the suji ridges, or just plain lacquer or leather, but this is the first one IÂ've seen with inlaid sections. The inlays are adorned with finely worked kiku (chrysanthemum) flowers and each is hand-made and unique. Also of similarly fine workmanship are the arabesqued tehen crown ornament and cloud-laden mabisashi visor. A gorgeous and substantial piece, clearly order-made for a man of status and wealth. Before being adopted in Japan as early as the 8 th century, kiku were treasured symbols in imperial Tang China, and were thought to bring long life. In Japan , late autumn kiku viewing parties and kiku-decorated furnishings and vehicles graced the lives of 12 th century Heian era aristocracy. The kiku has been the auspicious symbol of the emperor of Japan since the 13 th century and its use was carefully restricted among even the samurai, the right being awarded only to the most loyal of the emperorÂ's subjects. The kamon (family crest) is called Gohei ni yabane (arrow feathers in a Shinto pendant.) Â"Bushi no yumiya no michiÂ" - the way of the bow and arrow Â- is one of the most famous motifs in Japanese heraldry due to its obvious martial connotations and the Shinto pendant provided a good luck talisman. From ancient times, food and drink was left on shrine altars for the gods and in time came to be replaced by paper pendants, which in turn came to be revered as gods themselves. The samurai adorned their armor, arrow quivers and horse standards with these pendants and adopted them as family crests. Today the pendants seen in and around Shinto shrines signify the holiness of the ground. This kaji kabuto is in very good condition. A bit of cracking of the lacquer in a few places, but no loss. One inlay section on left side is missing. I suppose the rear one could be moved to the left side to provide symmetry, but I just display the piece at an oblique angle facing down and to the right, which not only hides the left side, but also creates a more dynamic stance (as if it were being worn right now) than the usual straight on display. All original agemaki bow, rawhide tassels, leather-brimmed hachi liner (with hachi inspection port) and agohimo chinstrap. Early to mid-Edo era (pre 1800). Iron construction with brass trim. 1.8 kg/3.9 lbs Approx. Overall Size: H 6.5Â" (16.5cm) W 11Â" (28cm) D 12.3Â" (31cm) NOTE: camera flash may highlight dust particles on surface which appear as white spots; in reality, t are no white spots. Stand not included, but available for $50 (order as many as you need for your collection.) Please inquire. This kaji kabuto would make an excellent addition to your collection, and at a very reasonable price. Keep in mind that the Japanese economy has been depressed for years, so amazing pieces like this are now going for a fraction of the cost that they were even just a few years ago. Further, IÂ've worked hard to get the best price possible (to pass on to you) and IÂ'm buying in the Japanese yen, which is now at very low levels against foreign currencies. DonÂ't miss this chance to get a fantastic piece at a price you may never see again. SHIPPING: Asia $45 N. America/Australia $60 Europe $70 Shipping charge includes Paypal fee and the currency exchange charge that I must also pay to them (see Paypal policy.) I ask your understanding in this regard. If you wish to reduce the shipping charge, see the section printed in blue below. All items inspected before careful ... read more

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