Helmet (Kawari-kabuto) Surmounted by a Dragonfly

Restored by Hiromichi Miura Japanese

Not on view

A favorite emblem of the samurai, the dragonfly was known as kachi-mushi ("victorious insect") and was respected for its hunting technique: flying directly forward toward its prey, never wavering from its path. Dragonflies most often appear as the crest on the front of the helmet (maedate). On this unusual example, a large and detailed rendition of the creature instead surmounts the helmet’s bowl, which is adorned with clouds, suggesting flight.

Helmet (<i>Kawari-kabuto</i>) Surmounted by a Dragonfly, Restored by Hiromichi Miura (Japanese, b. 1938), Iron, copper, gold, silver, wood, lacquer, silk, linen, hemp, Japanese

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3/4 Right Side

Helmet (<i>Kawari-kabuto</i>) Surmounted by a Dragonfly, Restored by Hiromichi Miura (Japanese, b. 1938), Iron, copper, gold, silver, wood, lacquer, silk, linen, hemp, Japanese
Helmet (<i>Kawari-kabuto</i>) Surmounted by a Dragonfly, Restored by Hiromichi Miura (Japanese, b. 1938), Iron, copper, gold, silver, wood, lacquer, silk, linen, hemp, Japanese
Helmet (<i>Kawari-kabuto</i>) Surmounted by a Dragonfly, Restored by Hiromichi Miura (Japanese, b. 1938), Iron, copper, gold, silver, wood, lacquer, silk, linen, hemp, Japanese
Helmet (<i>Kawari-kabuto</i>) Surmounted by a Dragonfly, Restored by Hiromichi Miura (Japanese, b. 1938), Iron, copper, gold, silver, wood, lacquer, silk, linen, hemp, Japanese

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