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Kabuto- Unique helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors, and in later periods, they became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class

Ian Harvey

Kabuto, were worn by the ancient Japanese warriors. However, in the later periods of history, these helmets became an integral part of the traditional armor worn by the warriors. Over time these armors became part of the samurai class at the time when Japan was a feudal society.

One intriguing aspect of these Japanese helmets is that some of these helmets have been unearthed dating back to the fifth century BC, long time before the rise of the Samurai class. These helmets are traditionally known as the mabizashi-tsuke kabuto translated as a visor-attached helmet and are thought to have originated in the Korean or Chinese regions and contain a characteristic central bridge.

Tosei gusoku armor with white lacing and Chinese magistrate’s cap helmet (head) Photo Credit
Tosei gusoku armor with white lacing and Chinese magistrate’s cap helmet (head) Photo Credit

 

Tosei gusoku armor with blue lacing, head armor. Photo Credit
Tosei gusoku armor with blue lacing, head armor. Photo Credit

 

The front plate of the helmet bowl (hachi) takes the form of a bird’s beak. Photo Credit
The front plate of the helmet bowl (hachi) takes the form of a bird’s beak. Photo Credit

 

Sujibachi kabuto. Photo Credit
Sujibachi kabuto. Photo Credit

 

Samourai Photo Credit
Samourai Photo Credit

In almost all the kabuto discovered so far, there can be found a small opening located at the top of the helmet known as the tehen or hachimanza; hachimanza can literally be translated as a seat of Hachiman the War God. The purpose of this opening, which sometimes is just a hole at the top of the helmet, was thought to be for the passing of the warrior’s hair-knot. Historians suggest that the practice of keeping a long top knot by the warriors was largely abandoned in the post Muromachi period, however the opening on the top of the kabuto was retained for simpler purposes such as ventilation or to make prominent the artifact of exhibiting the riveted plates on the helmet.

The Kabuto undoubtedly played a very prominent and long-lasting role in depicting the ancient war code of the Japanese warriors, however, the symbolism of samurai helmet far surpassed its military application and seeped into Japanese wisdom and everyday sayings. One Japanese saying ‘Katte Kabuto no o o shimeyo, translated as ‘tighten your kabuto after winning’ and points towards the wisdom that ‘one must not adhere to rest very soon after one’s victory as this could be a loss in and of itself’. Another such phrase that uses Kabuto symbolism is ‘kabuto o nugu’ which literally means ‘take off the kabuto’ which is used to depict surrender or sometimes defeat.

Sintakaoka Photo Credit
Sintakaoka Photo Credit

 

Samurai helmet with face mask. Photo Credit
Samurai helmet with face mask. Photo Credit

 

Samurai armor, Japan, late 18th or early 19th century, Photo Credit
Samurai armor, Japan, late 18th or early 19th century, Photo Credit

 

Ornate_kabuto. Photo Credit
Ornate_kabuto. Photo Credit

 

Kawari Kabuto or Extraordinary Helmet Photo Credit
Kawari Kabuto or Extraordinary Helmet Photo Credit

 

Imperial Kabuto the Imperial Museum Tokyo. Photo Credit
Imperial Kabuto the Imperial Museum Tokyo. Photo Credit

 

Helmets and Masks - "Samurai" Exhibition - Portland Art Museum Photo Credit
Helmets and Masks – “Samurai” Exhibition – Portland Art Museum Photo Credit

 

Helmet (kabuto), Edo period, mid-18th century, repoussé iron. Photo Credit
Helmet (kabuto), Edo period, mid-18th century, repoussé iron. Photo Credit

 

Exhibit in the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo, Japan. Photo Credit
Exhibit in the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo, Japan. Photo Credit

Though kabuto came in different shapes and sizes according to the need and liking of the warrior and of course according to the time and age, however, a typical kabuto was built with a central dome which is constructed from riveted metal plates ranging from three to three hundred in number. These plates were put together in a radiating manner, seemingly stemming from the tehen or the top opening on the kabuto. These riveted metal plates could be changed, again according to the needs and likes of the individuals.

In one type, these rivets securing the plates were somewhat raised, these types of kabuto arrangements were known as hoshi-bachi. If the rivets were made flat by hammering the type was known as suji-bachi. In another form flush rivets were used and it was called hari-bachi.

Exhibit in the Glenbow Museum, 130 9th Ave S.E., Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Photo Credit
Exhibit in the Glenbow Museum, 130 9th Ave S.E., Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Photo Credit

 

Exhibit in the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Photo Credit
Exhibit in the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Photo Credit

 

Edo period samurai chochin kabuto or collapsible helmet. Photo Credit
Edo period samurai chochin kabuto or collapsible helmet. Photo Credit

 

Antique Japanese (samurai) zunari style kabuto (helmet) with various crests (Datemono), on the back (ushirodate), sides (wakidate), or front (maedate). Photo Credit
Antique Japanese (samurai) zunari style kabuto (helmet) with various crests (Datemono), on the back (ushirodate), sides (wakidate), or front (maedate). Photo Credit

 

Another prominent feature of the kabuto was a suspended neck guard used alongside the helmet, the guard was called shikoro and was comprised of up to seven lacquered, semi-circular metal parts. These were then attached and tighten with the help of leather or silk lacings.

Read another story from us: The only surviving example of a complete Viking helmet in existence

In some comparatively large kabuto, the shikoro were made out of over 100 much smaller metal scales put together in rows. Shinobi-no-o was another part of the traditional kabuto, which was a chin cord to support the face against such large helmets.

Ian Harvey

Ian Harvey is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News