Antique Samurai Helmet Tetsu Kuro Urushi Kabuto with Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo Certificate
Period: Early Edo Period (appraised by The Association for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmets and Armor)
Prime Material: Iron
This Kabuto was made in the early Edo period. Its name is Tetsu Kuro Urushi-nuri Hachiken Sanpojiro Akodanari Suji Kabuto. It is both strong and beautiful. The shape of the helmet is called Akodanari. It looks like a round melon and comes from Buddhist design. It shows power and something holy. The surface is covered with shiny black lacquer, which makes it look serious and elegant.
Please focus on the Maedate (前立, front decoration) part. We believe it imitates a Mikaduki (三日月, crescent moon). We imagine that its golden color caught people’s eyes on the battlefields. According to a theory, the crescent moon designs of Maedates came from the Myouken (妙見) belief. This religion was born in India. It was mixed with the Polestar belief and was brought to Japan from the continent. In the Myouken belief, the moon and stars were the symbols of faith. The Myouken Bosatsu (妙見菩薩, 菩薩 means Bodhisattva) fulfills all wishes such as fertility of rich harvest, peace, the prosperity of the clan, healing of illness, longevity, success in business, traffic safety, academic achievement, marriage, etcetera. Reasonably, the moon motif for a Maedate was popular among Samurai warriors. The former owner of this armor might have shown his faith by wearing this Kabuto. One of the famous Samurai who used this type of Maedate was Date Masamune (伊達 政宗, 1567-1636). He took over the family estate at the age of 17 and contributed to the prosperity of the Touhoku (東北) region. It features a sizeable crescent-shaped decoration and is a popular design even in modern times for replica products.
The motif of the Fukikaeshi is based on a family crest called Musubi Karigane (結び雁金). The wild goose, is a migratory bird that has long been familiar to people in Japan. As seen in the Manyoshu (万葉集)—the oldest collection of Japanese poetry—geese were admired for flying through the sky with the north wind in autumn. By the Kamakura period at the latest, they were already used as motifs in art. In China, the goose symbolizes loyalty, and the Karigane crest was especially popular among Samurai families.
In addition, the Hachimanza (八幡座, helmet top opening) is shaped like a chrysanthemum (菊, Kiku). A long time ago, the chrysanthemum was used as a medicine for obtaining a long life in China, and it was brought to Japan with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). Chrysanthemum is one of the flowers which symbolizes fall, and people appreciate it very much since ancient times. As its petals form radially, the chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. That is why this flower pattern is treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health. “Kiku no Gomon (菊の御紋)” is a kind of chrysanthemum pattern, and it has been used as the crest of the Emperor and the royal family in Japan so that it is well-known as a noble pattern.
*Please keep in mind that this Kabuto’s lacquer is partly lacked off and one of the part is dented.
Certification: Tokugetsu Kicho Shiryo Certificate (No. 2188)
The certificate was issued by The Association for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmets and Armor, which is the most trusted Japanese armor appraiser in Japan. Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo means special rare article. It is ranked as the third highest of five rankings.
This helmet was authenticated on May 26th, 2024, as a Tokubetsu Kicho Shiryo, and this paper mentions that this item was made in the early Edo period.
An English translation of the certificate is available on request. We won’t charge any additional fee.
【About us】
Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on.
【Antique Japanese helmet (Kabuto) and Export process】
After receiving the full payment from you, we will apply for its export permit from the Board of Education to legally export the helmet to other countries. It normally takes around 2-4 weeks to receive this permit. And we would like you to expect at least 1.0-1.5 months for your order to arrive at your given address after you ordered.
【Payment Method】
We accept payment through Stripe (Credit card), PayPal, Apple Pay or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. Also, you don’t need to make an account on Stripe for the checkout. If you prefer other payment method, please contact us. After confirming your payment, we will apply for an export permit. You may either pay in JPY, USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, CHF or GBP. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate.
【Shipping Duration】
We normally ship via EMS (Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. It usually takes at least 5-14 days to deliver the package after you place an order.
We offer Free International Shipping as long as we can ship your order by EMS. If you prefer other shipping carriers, please contact us.
We will inform you of the order’s tracking number via email. Please make sure you fill out your valid email address correctly.
*If you like to make sure if EMS shipping is available to your country, please contact us.
【How to make sure the condition】
Please keep in mind that what you are going to purchase is an antique item. We uploaded high resolution photos for you to check its condition thoroughly. If you like to see more photos with different angles, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to send them to you so that you can make informed decision. It is essential for us to know that you are happy with your choice of a sword. and we are prepared to use the best of our ability to serve you.
【How To Contact Us】
Please contact us through email, Facebook Messenger or Live Chat if you have any questions. You can find each icon on the right side of the website. Please click one of them to reach us. We will reply to you within 1-2 business days.
【How To Preserve Antique Samurai Armor/Helmets】
Dryness, humidity, and bad ventilation might deteriorate the condition of antique Samurai armor/helmet. The best temperature to preserve Samurai armor/helmet is around 20℃ in Celsius, and humidity should be about 60%. Direct sunlight should be avoided. We recommend storing armors/helmets in a room with good ventilation. If you like to display them outside the boxes for a prolonged time, we suggest using a glass case in order for dust not to be accumulated easily. In case you don’t use a glass case, please make sure to regularly dust off from the armor/helmets by using a soft brush made of delicate cloth or brush for painting.
If you like to know more about the preservation of this armor, please feel free to contact us.
