1941.4.58.1

Collection type

Object

Description

Helmet, part of suit of Japanese armour. [El.B 12/4/2007]

Long description

Helmet, part of suit of Japanese armour. The bowl has a central boss from which ridges are radiating. A leafy pattern is on the upper side of the peak, the underside is lacquered red. One turnback has a circular badge painted gold with a flower, the other turnback is missing. The neckguard consists of lamellae laced together with dark blue silk braid, with patterned and red silk braid along the edges. The bottom plata has grooves all over it which are painted gold. The helmet cord is red silk over a thick core. The helmet is lined with red leather and dark blue textile. [El.B 12/4/2007]

Geographical reference

Japan

Asia > Eastern Asia > Japan

Cultural groups

Japanese

Person

Field collector Henry Balfour

PRM source Henry Balfour

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1939?, uncertain

Date collected

?By 1939

Acquisition information

Found unentered: 1941

Materials and processes

Material Iron Metal, Material Lacquer Varnish, Material Animal Leather Skin, Material Silk Yarn Animal, Material Textile, Process Decorated, Process Lacquered Varnished, Process Braided, Process Stitched

Dimensions

Width: max 195 mm peak

Object numbers

Accession number: 1941.4.58.1

Research and responses

The following notes are drawn from research compiled by Andy Mills as part of the DCF Cutting Edge project in 2006-2007. An 18-plate suji-hachi, lacquered in black with ornamental riveted plates bordering each suji (rib). The helmet has an elaborate vine-scroll on the brim, worthy of the visitor’s inspection. There is a pair of floral suemon kanamono (brass kamon-rivets) on the fukigaeshi, but I have been unable to identify the kamon.

This is a highly ornamental – and not particularly functional - suit of armour in the style of Unkai. Unkai was a school of armoury established in the mid-17th century by Unkai Mitsunaga – a master smith of the even more famous Myochin clan, who moved to the Kaga region of Japan and set up independently (Toraba.com website - http://www.toraba.com/menpo-0503-0547.htm). This is not to the standard of the master himself. Such armours were devalued after 1800, due to critical appraisal of their showy non-functionality, and so we can perhaps date this piece to somewhere between 1700 and 1800. [SM 09/05/2008]

Search terms: Armour Weapon, Clothing Headgear, Helmet