The Japanese Helmet (Kabuto)
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Kabuto 02 |
Kabuto 03
The natural progression of design from the eleventh century of Kabuto
(Japanese Helmet) known as “Hoshi Kabuto” (helmets with large, high standing,
rivet heads), to a steady reduction in size of the rivets, to kabuto with rivets
filed flat in the fifteenth century.
Early sixteenth century saw the introduction of multi plate helmets
frequently referred to as “Suji - Bachi” (Multi-plate helmet of which the rivets
are counter sunk, leaving the flanged edges of the plates prominent). “Suji”
directly translates into English as, rib or flange.
These multi-plate helmets
from the five plate head shaped “Zunari” to as many as two hundred plate helmets
in the early seventeenth century that would have surely rocked the
traditionalist’s boat, became in vogue.
No sooner had they do so than Kabuto
adornment and fancy crests known as “Maedate” and horns known as “Kuwagata”
appeared that caused a major stir on the battle field, and the race was on to
see who could become the Samurai Funk of Fashion.
The seventeenth century was
the golden era for the armorers that allowed free reign of design expression and
every conceivable object, foreign influences "Namban Kabuto"
and the Extraordinary "Kawari Kabuto"
Particularly those auspicious from dragons to bats and
conch shells attracted the eye of the armorer and our now ever receptive fashion
conscious Samurai. There are certain theories regarding just how this fashion
trend actually evolved non of which have actually been proven factual. Economics
and the fact the Japanese Master craftsmen realized that their fine quality
workmanship was walking advertising, soon listened to the undercurrent of
chatter and with unquestionable certainty knew this market trend was going to
become more in vogue
Kabuto 01 兜
