Helmet (Suji-Kabuto)

late 17th–early 18th century

Not on view

The bowl of this helmet is formed from one hundred individual radial iron plates, the overlapping edges of which form ridges (suji). The inscription on the frontal plate now reads jingū (shrine); however, the first character is missing, and it likely originally read Daijingū. This inscription may refer to the Ise Shrine, the most famous Shinto shrine in Japan, which is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Wearing or displaying the helmet would thus have invoked divine powers.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Helmet (Suji-Kabuto)
Date: late 17th–early 18th century
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Iron, lacquer, copper, gold, silk, copper-gold alloy (shakudō)
Dimensions: H. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm); W. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm); D. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm); Wt. 7 lb. 2 oz. (3231.9 g)
Classification: Helmets
Credit Line: Gift of Etsuko O. Morris and John H. Morris Jr., 2018
Object Number: 2018.833.10
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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