This situation changed in the late 18 th century when, in a mood of nostalgia, the samurai yearned for the glories of their past. Estimate: 30,000 - 40,000 GBPįollowing the unification of the country in the early 1600s and the enforced peace that followed, the importance of armour declined, although the samurai were still required to own armour and weapons and to practice martial arts. ![]() These features, known as fukigaeshi, continued to be added long after they had become redundant, shrinking in size until they became little more than tabs that acted as vehicles for the wearer to display his heraldry.Ī Kawari kabuto | Edo period, 17th century. A characteristic feature of these early neckguards was that the front ends of the upper rows were extended and turned outwards on either side of the face as a defence against arrows. The neckguard was assembled from rows of small lacquered, overlapping scales of iron or rawhide fastened together with leather thongs that in turn were laced to each other with silk braid. In front is a small almost vertical peak, arranged so as not to catch the bowstring when shooting, and was often adorned with horn-like crests. At the apex is a large hole or tehen through which was pulled the excess of a tall soft cap worn in lieu of lining. Early examples have an almost hemispherical bowl of about ten iron plates arranged like the gores of a cap fastened together with domed rivets. ![]() ![]() Japanese helmets or kabuto consist of a helmet bowl or hachi to which is attached a neckguard or shikoro. A Kawari kabuto | Edo period, 17th - 18th century (left) A Kawari kabuto | Edo period, 17th century (center) A Momonari kabuto | Edo period, 17th century (right)
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