Jingasa

War hat

Mid-Edo period, 18th century

Diameter: 38.4 cm

Although during the sengoku jidai ("period of the warring states") the jingasa (literally "military hat") was the typical headgear of lower-ranking soldiers who could not afford a helmet, during the Edo period more complex and high-quality specimens were also made for important samurai who on less formal occasions and while travelling wished to wear something light and still protect them from the sun or rain. From the 18th century onwards, therefore, one can find alongside the 'poor' jingasa, more elaborate examples decorated in gold with maki-e lacquer.

This jingasa of ichimonji shape is made with a tataki–nuri type of relief lacquer, with circular flat reserves in maki-e lacquer bearing a family coat of arms (kamon) of the rinpō (Buddhist wheel) type and three golden shinodare starting from the top. The interior is in red lacquer with gold leaf tassels and the same three kamon in black.