Kabuto (1) - Japan - 1930 - 1980

Modern Japanese kabuto, Shōwa period, 20th century

16-ken suji-bachi, restored and re-lacquered with urushi, featuring a large gold maedate

An interesting modern-era Japanese kabuto, probably from the Shōwa period (20th century), faithfully made to follow the aesthetics of traditional Japanese helmets and especially attractive as a decorative piece and display item.

The helmet features a 16-ken suji-bachi, i.e., a helmet shell formed by sixteen lames or plates assembled radially, whose outer ridges create the characteristic suji or vertical ridges that run across the surface. This structure gives the ensemble an elegant yet powerful silhouette, reinforced by the deep black finish of its surface.

The piece has been restored and re-lacquered with urushi, recovering the intense black gloss characteristic of Japanese lacquer. The surface displays the visual richness typical of this finish, with deep reflections and a presence far superior to that of a modern industrial finish, lending great aesthetic strength to the kabuto.

The upper finial is crowned by a striking tehen with its corresponding gold tehen-kanamono, visually linking the hachi and underscoring the helmet’s traditional character.

One of its most striking elements is the large golden maedate, with a curved profile and powerful sculptural presence. Inspired by the grand front ornaments of traditional kabuto, this maedate serves a primarily visual and symbolic function, giving the helmet a strongly defined personality. Its aged-gold finish contrasts magnificently with the black lacquer of the hachi, creating a composition of enormous decorative impact.

The kabuto does not retain a shikoro, i.e., the neck guard commonly found on full helmets. However, along the lower edge it preserves a first peripheral defense in nerikawa — hardened and lacquered leather — that protects and strengthens the helmet’s perimeter, while maintaining structural and aesthetic coherence with the rest of the piece. This detail is especially interesting as it allows appreciation of the transition between the shell and the area where neck protection would originally have developed.

The gold side elements, together with the small red cord details, further enrich the ensemble and reinforce its visual appeal, within a classic color combination of black, gold, and red closely tied to Japanese tradition.

Condition

Restored and re-lacquered piece, with very good overall presence and a particularly decorative finish. It shows signs, irregularities, and small wear compatible with its nature, restoration, and ornamental use. The absence of the complete shikoro should be understood as part of its current state.

Decorative value

This is a kabuto with strong visual impact, ideal for decoration, interior design, display, or collection, that reproduces the aesthetics of traditional Japanese armor very effectively. Thanks to its 16-ken suji-bachi, its black urushi finish, its peripheral nerikawa, and its spectacular gold maedate, it constitutes a piece of great presence, perfect for those seeking an evocative, technical, and highly decorative object.