Za-boshi Kabuto, 16 plates samurai helmet

This heavy helmet is typical of the work of the armor makers in the province of Kaga. Each plate is fitted with a row of nine rivets of diminishing size toward the top, with the exception of the front and rear plates, the former with three rows of za-boshi and the latter left empty. The rivet heads bear a chrysantemoid shaped washer at the base (za-boshi).

The mabizashi (visor) and the fukigaeshi are decorated with applied printed Dutch leather tooled with a gilt design of stylized foliage.

The five plates neck protection (shikoro) features the last plate covered in stained leather laced with a two-colors decorative odoshi, as typical of the region of Kaga. It is worth noting that the shikoro is attached to the helmet bowl not only with the usual rivets but also with three red-lacquered himo-gawa cords. 

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

INVENTORY NR: kab-1433