A kawari kabuto [unusually shaped helmet] and mempo [face mask] | Edo period, 17th - 18th century, with later additions

The Charlier and Cortina Collection of Exotic Samurai Helmets and Armour

A kawari kabuto [unusually shaped helmet] and mempo [face mask]

Edo period, 17^th - 18^th century

the black lacquered iron bowl applied to the apex with harikake in the form of a cloth cap (sozukin), the black lacquer peak with hammered brow, black lacquer turnbacks, four-tiered black lacquered neck guard with solid plates (itamono-jikoro) with spaced lacing (sugake odoshi) in pale green braid, later circular gold and black lacquer forecrest (maedate) applied with a wild boar, later red lacquered lateral crests (wakidate) applied with horse hair, the later rear crests (ushirodate) in the form of slender iris leaves (barin), lacquered simulated russet iron (sabiji-nuri) face mask with fierce expression (ressei mempo), flared nostrils and open mouth, detachable nose plate, yak hair moustache, red lacquer interior, four-tiered solid plate throat protector laced in matching braid, accompanied with a plain wood stand as illustrated

The helmet when mounted on a stand: 75 cm., 29½ in. high (including fittings)