Helmet (Kawari-kabuto) Surmounted by a Dragonfly

Restorer/Conservator Restored by Hiromichi Miura Japanese

18th century; restorations, 2015

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.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Helmet (Kawari-kabuto) Surmounted by a Dragonfly
Restorer/Conservator: Restored by Hiromichi Miura (Japanese, b. 1938)
Date: 18th century; restorations, 2015
Culture: Japanese
Medium: Iron, copper, gold, silver, wood, lacquer, silk, linen, hemp
Dimensions: H. 13 in. (33 cm); W. 25 3/4 in. (65.4 cm); D. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm); Wt. 5 lb. 6.8 oz. (2460.7 g)
Classification: Helmets
Credit Line: Gift of Etsuko O. Morris and John H. Morris Jr., 2018
Object Number: 2018.833.9a–d
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

By Hiromichi Miura

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Hiromichi Miura Japanese, Iron, copper, copper-gold alloy (<i>shakudō</i>), gold, lacquer, silk, linen, felt, leather, horsehair, doeskin, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Restorer/Conservator Helmet crest and restorations by Hiromichi Miura
armor, 18th century; helmet, 16th century; restorations, 2015

Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese — Armor (*Gusoku*)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

War Hat (<i>Jingasa</i>), Wood, copper, lacquer, iron, gold, hemp, Japanese — War Hat (*Jingasa*)
Japanese
late 18th–early 19th century

Helmet (<i>Kawari-Kabuto</i>) in the Shape of a Wave, Hiromichi Miura Japanese, Iron, textile, lacquer, copper, gold, leather, silk, wood, Japanese — Helmet (*Kawari-Kabuto*) in the Shape of a Wave
Restorer/Conservator Helmet crest and restorations by Hiromichi Miura
17th century; restorations, 2015

Shō, Bamboo wood, metal, Japanese — Shō
Japanese
19th century

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