Sogonari Kabuto

Samurai Helmet shaped as a Human Head

Early Edo Period (1615 - 1867)

Three-plates kawari kabuto covered with tawny hair to resemble a human head.

Samurai helmets with this shape are not unusual, but a feature worth noting on this kabuto is that the hair covers the whole helmet, including the visor (mabizashi), while the front side of these samurai helmets is usually lacquered. Notable exceptions with the same surface treatment are two well-known kabuto: one from the armor that Hideyoshi presented to Date Masamune (now in the Sendai City Museum) and another one from an armor, again from Momoyama period, in the collection of Osaka Castle.

On this page is a comprehensive glossary of common terms related to samurai armor.