36. Kabuto with mempo (samurai helmet and mask), Edo period (1603-1868), collectible piece

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36. Kabuto with mempo (samurai helmet and mask), Edo period (1603-1868), collectible piece

Atelier japonez

Starting price:

EUR 2.500

Sold

EUR 5.500

steel, textile, animal hair, h=18 cm

Authentic samurai Kabuto and Mempo armour, most likely made in the second half of the 17th century, contain the distinctive elements of the most impressive piece of feudal Japanese armour. The set includes a helmet worn by the samurais in battle, called Kabuto, and the scary mask, Mempo. The two pieces are part of the same armour, since both iron and links are made of the same materials. The Kabuto is Hineno-jikoro style and presents a distinctive hachi made in Tenkokuzan style from more hagi-no-ita plates, while at the top of it, a turquoise coloured tehen kanamono can be seen. At the same time, the kabuto is also accompanied by the shikoro (the back of the helmet, designed to protect the back of the samurai's head), made of several overlapping iron blades. The menpō type mempo, which covers the face from nose to chin, is decorated with a moustache made in the traditional manner from horsehair. The mempo also presents all the distinctive elements: Odome (the mounting used to link the mempo with the kabuto), Ase nagashi no ana (a hole located under the chin, designed to facilitate the drainage of the samurai's facial sweat) and Yodare-kake (the part made from more iron plates, protecting the neck). Throughout Japanese history, Kabuto and Mempo have become distinctive elements of samurai such as Katana or Wakizashi. During a battle, if a samurai removed his Kabuto alone, meant he surrendered to his enemies.

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