War Helmet Set: Kabuto With Mempo And Maedaté, Japan. Momoyama Period (1573 – 1603)

KABUTO war helmet set with mempo and maedate
Type o-boshi sujibachi
Japan. MOMOYAMA period (1573 - 1603)
Iron, lacquer, copper, fabric, leather, lacquer.

Helmet (kabuto): iron o-boshi sujibachi with twenty-four blades, gilded metal igaki, tehen kanamono forming kiku. Fins (fukigaeshi): brocade-covered wood, gilded metal môn featuring a stylized character. Visor (mabisashi): brocade-covered wood.
Central ornament (maedate): gilded lacquered metal, featuring deer antlers surrounding a môn maru ni mitsu uroko.
Neck guard (shikoro): black lacquered wooden hineno with five blue laced strips.
Mask (menpo): iron ryubu, nose assembled with studs. Red lacquered interior (missing).
Throat guard (yodarekake): three black-lacquered iron strips with three blue-lacquered strips (Accidents).

The front of the helmet features a removable wooden ornament called a maedate. It features an oni, a small monster or demon with pointed incisors, a long pair of red-pigmented ears and slightly arched golden horns. 

The kabuto is a traditional object in Japanese culture. An integral part of military armor, it was worn by high-ranking samurai.

Overall good condition. 

Sold with its base. 

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref.LP3992