Miniature kabuto

A miniature hoshi-bachi samurai helmet

The second half of Edo Period (1615-1867)

19th Century

The diameter of hachi: 8 cm circa

The small sixteen plates samurai helmet with standing rivets is mounted with engraved plates on the front and on the back, on which gilt shinodare are applied. Visor (mabizashi) and fukigaeshi are decorated with gold maki-e lacquer with a design of flowers and mythical beasts. The three plates shikoro (neck protection)  is finished with red lacquer.
During the 17th Century samurai families used to display a set of helmet and armor, weapons and banners outdoors on the Tango-no-Sekku Festival (The Boy’s Festival), held on the fifth day of the fifth month, designated as an important ceremonial day by the Edo Shogunate Government. Later in the Edo period these items, except for the banners, were moved indoor, on rooms facing the street. The style of displaying varied in accordance and the armors gradually became miniaturized, thus keeping splendid decorations on, as such armors and helmets were also to display the prosperity of their household.
The construction of this rare item is exactly that of a regular samurai helmet. No shortcut or simplifications have been used and the model is overall built in the same way a kabuto would be.

Miniature kabuto for sale. Please include item stock number: acc-1486

Price 1800 euro