The Japanese Helmet (Kabuto)
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Japanese History
It is sufficient to mention a general time line with some for
“kabuto formation” important periods and main “change of battle styles”
Nara and Heian Periods 710-1192
Kamakura Period 1192-1333
Muromachi Period 1338-1573
Azuchi-Momoyama Period 1573-1603
Edo Period 1603-1868
Arms and Armor
Initially the protection of armor was designed to be used in
hand-to-hand combat and protection from a “stray” arrow and used mainly on
horseback, but battle styles changed: on foot, mass battles, the introduction of
new weapons (use of firearms) and later on armor was also used in times of
peace. All this had its influence on development of armor and kabuto .
Function
Kabuto were initially developed to protect against attack, but
the unique history of Japan gave the artists (armorers) the opportunity to
clearly show their technical and artistic skills.
For the bearer it was not only to protect his head, but also to identify him, to
advertise his prowess on the battlefield, to show his social status and even his
religious fervor.
The long period of peace (1603-1868), in which Japan “time froze in the middle
ages” gave the kabuto the opportunity to migrate to a new function: Display and
Fashion.
Japanese culture is unique in the way that it “forbid” the use of a supreme
weapon (artillery and firearms) and thus allowed to further develop the form and
use of traditional weapons and armor.
Form
The diversity of styles of kabuto is so huge we can only take
some general and well recognizable samples. Every style has its own details and
sub styles.
To name a few of the important Kabuto styles:
Wearing the Kabuto
Hold cords directly under both fukigaeshi (turn ups), placing
your thumbs in the helmet and all fingers outside. Then lift the helmet above
your head and put it on from behind, then pull it forwards .
Pulling the front loop of the helmet cord and place it under your chin . Put
both ends of the cord through the metal rings in the helmet to fix the cords ,
then pull them upwards .
Pull them towards the ears and pass them through the other cords, which have
been arranged inside the helmet .
Pull the cords downwards to tie under the chin .
Twist the ends of the already tied cords , and then tuck them between the
“Menpo” (face mask).
Small or larger, overlapping plates are riveted together to form
a
bowl. The helmets are strong and heavy. The surface is usually in a russet
iron finish, but maybe lacquered to look like russet iron. Hoshi can be large
and small, depending on fashion and are sometimes decorated.
Tehen (center top of a helmet) is a logical development, because of the
possibility to “neatly” fit the ends of the plates together; of course Japanese
craftsmen would not be Japanese if they did not make something special out of it
with the Tehen kanemono (decorative ornament). The Tehen is also called “iki
dashi no ana” or “ventilation hole”, though the additional advantage of “air
circulation” or the possibility of putting the samurai hair knot through it can
be doubted.
The Shikoro (lamellae) for neck protection is a great and unique addition to the
helmet bowl and relatively comfortable because there was no limitation in
movement. The Fukigaeshi (turn backs) where the top plate of the shikoro was
folded back had many forms: from very large to small, decorated with leather or
metal ornaments. Again the function of extra protection can be doubted. At the
back of the helmet very often a ring (horotsuke no kwan) can be found, in old
times used to fasten a cape or banner. Later in history to this ring the Agemaki
bow (cord with tassels) was fastened to stop the ring form jingling…
To reduce weight, hoshi were filed away, small flanges were left
standing, both maybe as added protection and decoration. As with the Hoshi
kabuto there is a large variation in the number of Ken (plates) used. Sometimes
smaller Fukigaeshi were used, sometimes hinged, with the advantage to be able to
shoot arrows or guns easier.
A large range of additions were in fashion: Maedate (front ornament),
introduction of Wakidate (side ornaments), addition of Ushirodate (back
ornament) maybe to take the place of the now obsolete Agemaki ring.
Tradition and new inventions always stayed side by side.
Zunari (Head-shaped Helmet) and it’s derivates like the “hairy
coverings”.
At the end of the 15th Century this style of kabuto started to be produced with
cloth shikoro known as “Okashi gusoku”. Low cost armor lent to lower ranked foot
soldiers that were generally using Yari as weapons. Enter the 16th Century and
the Zunari received wide acclaim throughout Japan as a practical helmet that
could be mass produced and even undergo a variety of minor alterations to suit
the owners requirements, Hineno Shikoro, (close fitting neck guard) and
multi-toned lacquer or other fittings for multiple Maedate.
Lacquered & Gilded Maedate and even Horns with hair are sometimes seen fitted to
the side plates and rear of the lacquered Zunari helmets.
Within a very brief period the ever popular combination of wrinkled eye-brows
with hair covered Zunari, wild boar or (Inoshishi), became generally the norm
and does look rather striking with its ginger tones, course boar hair being easy
to maintain and hold its shape.
Black Bear was also in demand with some Zunari having the entire skinned face of
a Bear mounted complete with eyes and teeth in place, White Polar Bear hair was
also used in the late Edo Period and was very much in demand, as well as Seal
skin.
From the mid 15 century Japanese armor was influenced by
“foreign”
styles. An important style was the introduction of “namban” armor.
The helmet was based on the Spanish / Portuguese Morion type helmet. These
styles were incorporated in Japanese armor, and may have been good and
efficient, but certainly they were very fashionable and a possibility for the
Samurai to “show off”. The original Morion were rare and thus extremely
expensive and were quickly copied and adapted by Japanese craftsman: metal inlay
, addition of shikoro and maedate.
Other imported styles were from Korean or Chinese (Mongolian origin)
Most of these extra ordinary kabuto were based on the zunari
type but every possible form and addition was used. Starting around 1600 the
imagination of the armor makers went wild. While the wars had almost come to an
end, th
ere was no necessity for battle field efficiency. Development went in the
direction of display and the kabuto makers were able to show their extreme
craftsmanship and enter new “advertising” areas. Only the very rich and bold
could afford to display this kind of helmets and show their social or military
status.
It is impossible to describe the many forms and only pictures can tell their
story.
Completely on the other site of the Kawari line of Kabuto stands
the
folding type. Generally speaking they were a very plain and useful type of
helmet, often light but of good quality iron and with no ornaments (though some
still have their Tehen kanemono). They were used by low and high ranking samurai
as they were easy to take on travels. Some more or less in the traditional style
complete with Shikoro, others lacking this but with Kusari (chain mail) added to
protect the neck.
Conclusion
It is impossible to give even an overview of Kabuto.
The fascinating world of Japanese Armor can be seen in many of
Akira Kurosawa’s movies
and lately
The Last Samurai
has shown us some impressive examples of Kabuto in use in
Hollywood’s late 19th century Japan.
Kabuto 03 兜
