Samurai Helmet
The samurai helmet which is also referred to as the kabuto was known as a highly effective protective gear that was used by the ancient samurai warriors of Japan. As time passed, these helmets became extremely vital aspects of the traditional Japanese armor that were used by skilled samurai and retainers from the warring period of feudal Japan.
Beginnings of the Samurai Helmet
The samurai kabuto were considered important for battle since these were highly protective gear that dates back to the fifth century. This was the era even before the samurais rose to power. Some pieces of these helmets were acquired from various tombs and were referred to as the Mabizashi Tsuke helmets that resembled the medieval headgear that featured attached visors. Generally, the style and designs of this Samurai helmet were based on China and Koreas armor which featured a very noticeable and apparent nose ridge that was necessary for further protection. The kabuto armor was treated as one of the most vital elements of a samurai armor since this piece was the one protecting the most important part, the head.
Basic Parts of the Samurai Helmet
The typical samurai helmet exhibits a very noticeable central dome made out of three or more metallic plates that are solidly attached to each other. These plates were generally organized in a vertical fashion that radiated from a small gap at the top of the piece. Rivets that are present to secure the metallic plates are either raised or hammered to keep the plates flat and somewhat smooth; there was another type without any ridges so its rivets were instead, filed. If the helmets hachi was smooth and fine, the helmet would be signed by the creators since most of them came from prominent families such as the Haruta, Nagasone, Myochin, Saotome, and the Unkai family.
Listed below are some of the basic parts of the samurai kabuto that are necessary to complete the protective headgear:
- Hachi
The hachi is a dome-like part of the samurai helmet and is composed of extended plates that overlap one another.
- Tehen
This is a small gap at the upper part of the hachi and is commonly locked using an ornamental grommet that usually appears like a chrysanthemum.
- Mabizashi
This part of the helmet can either be a brim or visor that can be located in front of the hachi.
- Fukigaeshi
The fukigaeshi is a wing or ear-like projection that can appear on the sides of a hachi.
- The Ukebari and Tsunamoto
The ukebari is known as a special cloth lining that can easily be located in the hachi whereas the tsunamotos are the mounting spots wherein a variety of crests can readily be fastened.
- Shinobi no O
The Shinobi no O is known as the chin cord that is necessary to secure the facial armor while also preventing the helmet from getting displaced.
- Shikoro
This is the suspended neck guard made of numerous coinciding lames a piece of solid sheet metal that is utilized as a part of the plate armors larger section.
Different Kinds of Samurai Helmets
The Suji Bachi Kabuto
This is a type of multiple-plate samurai helmet that features elevated ribs or ridges that exhibit where the kabutos plates come together. Its rivets can simply be filed flat or can be left exposed just like that of the hoshi bachi helmet.
Hoshi Bachi Kabuto
Also called the star helmet bowl, this helmet features rivet heads that stick out, large o-boshis (rivets), ko-boshis (little rivets), as well as a rivet with a chrysanthemum-shaped washer right at its base.
Hari Bachi
This is a multiple-plated hachi without ridges or ribs that exhibit where the helmets plates appear and where its rivets are filed.
The Tatami Kabuto
This specifically is a simple, portable, and more lightweight helmet that is made for low-ranking foot soldiers and samurai. It is considered as a collapsible helmet and is also referred to as the choshin kabuto made from thoroughly connected lames. Moreover, the construction of the tatami kabuto did not feature any rivets and instead, had chain mail or lacing that was utilized to link the pieces together.
Zunari Kabuto
It is a simple, five-plated helmet.
The Kawari Kabuto
This helmet was created during the Momoyama period and featured a much simpler design only with three or four plates without any of the ornamental and decorative features that were present in earlier kabutos. To balance out the simplicity of its design and provide presence and visibility on the battlefield, armor creators began producing excellent shapes right on top of these simply designed kabutos in harikake, though some of these were created entirely out of iron.
Kaji Kabuto
These were the types of helmets that were commonly used by firemen.
Jingasa
Known as war hats that were created in various shapes, sizes, and were worn mostly by the samurai and foot soldiers; these were either made out of metal or leather.
Samurai Helmets in Popular Culture
The samurai helmets were utilized in numerous shows, movies, and even in todays books: German Stahlhelm and the samurai kabuto were the primary inspiration for the helmet of Darth Vader from Star Wars; Shredder from the cartoon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is usually shown utilizing one. In other versions of the cartoon, his helmet is referred to as the Kuro Kabuto which literally translates to the Black Helmet. In the anime Naruto, a character named Kabuto Yakushi was seen in episode 336 and was named after the kabuto helmet.
The helmet was also depicted in various games such as Team Fortress 2 a first person shooter game wherein a couple of items that are available resembled the kabuto helmet such as the Killers Kabuto which is made specifically for the soldier class. There was also the Samur Eye (specifically created for the Demoman character) which was inspired by the Suji Bachi style, and the Combustible Kabuto (for pyro characters) that was based off from the eboshi style.
Samurai Helmet for Sale
Modern replicas of the classic samurai helmet for sale are widely available in numerous online shops, and anyone from enthusiasts, collectors, and even practitioners of the martial arts can readily purchase their own piece. Some of the samurai helmet for sale is fully modifiable for size, materials, design, crest emblems, finishing shades, as well as header boards depending on the tastes and requisites of the individual purchasing the helmet.