Samurai helmet shaped as a cloth headgear Kakuzukin-nari kabuto

Kakukuzin-nari kawari kabuto

Helmet shaped as a cloth headgear

Mid Edo Period (1615-1867) 18th century 

The kakuzukin, or squared cap, was formed by a rectangular cloth folded and sewn along the sides. The decoration over the iron bowl imitating this headgear is made in harikake, a mixture of papier-maché and lacquer that results light and solid at the same time. The last plate of the neck guard (shikoro) on this helmet is lacquered in gold.

Harikake had been used during the Momoyama period (1573-1715) when generals begun to wear large helmets shaped with unusual and extravagant forms called kawari kabuto. 

Kakuzukin-nari helmets are known to have been a particular favorite of the second Tokugawa shogun, Hidetada (ruled 1605-23) and of Hosokawa Tadaoki (1563-1646), lord of Kumamoto domain.

Japanese helmet for sale. Price on application. INVENTORY NR: kab-1545