Antique Japanese Wooden Jingasa with Maru ni Sakura Crest This is an antique Japanese jingasa (陣笠), a traditional military hat worn by samurai and other members of the warrior class. The jingasa appears to be made of wood and is finished with traditional Japanese lacquer. The exterior is beautifully finished in glossy black, with a delicate gilded edge. The front of the raised central section bears a clearly preserved Maru ni Sakura (丸に桜) family crest, depicting a cherry blossom enclosed within a circle. The underside is particularly striking. It is finished in a rich vermilion red lacquer, decorated with numerous scattered pieces and flakes of gold. Together with the black exterior and gilded rim, the red and gold decoration creates a beautiful contrast that is characteristic of traditional Japanese lacquer aesthetics. The interior retains its original padded lining and cloth straps. The padding shows considerable wear consistent with age and use, including fraying and areas of deterioration. The lacquer surface and gold decoration also show age-related wear, losses and scratches. These signs of age have been left untouched and form part of the authentic character of the piece. About the Maru ni Sakura Crest The Maru ni Sakura, or “Cherry Blossom within a Circle,” is a Japanese family crest based on the cherry blossom, one of the most important and recognizable flowers in Japanese culture. Cherry blossoms have long been associated with the arrival of spring and the agricultural calendar. In Japanese tradition, the cherry blossom was also associated with Konohanasakuya-hime, a revered deity connected with Mount Fuji and the blossoming of flowers. Although the transient nature of cherry blossoms initially made the motif less popular among some warrior families, its elegant appearance eventually led to widespread use as a decorative and heraldic motif. During the Edo period, cherry blossom crests were used by a number of samurai and daimyo families, including the Hosokawa, Matsudaira and Sengoku families. Cherry blossom motifs were also adopted as sacred crests by shrines associated with Konohanasakuya-hime. More specifically, the Maru ni Sakura variation is recorded in Japanese crest references with surnames including Tanaka, Yoshino, Nishino, Yahashi, Sakurai, Nishio, Yamanaka and Kikuchi. However, a family crest alone cannot establish the identity of the original owner of this jingasa, as the same crest could be used by different family lines. A distinctive example of Japanese warrior culture The combination of the black lacquered wooden body, vivid vermilion interior, scattered gold decoration, original padded lining and clearly preserved Maru ni Sakura crest makes this an especially attractive example of Japanese warrior equipment. Rather than being merely a functional piece of headgear, the jingasa also served as a visible expression of the wearer's identity and social affiliation. Its surviving lacquer, gilding and original interior fittings provide an interesting glimpse into the craftsmanship and aesthetics of traditional Japanese samurai equipment. The combination of the elegant cherry blossom crest, contrasting black and vermilion lacquer, and extensive gold decoration gives this jingasa a particularly distinctive appearance. Its aged surfaces and original interior fittings further enhance its character as an authentic historical object from Japan. Height: 9.0 cm Width: 30.0 cm Depth: 31.6 cm Weight: 680 g Condition: This item dates back to the Edo period. It shows signs of wear and damage, such as scratches, scuffs, stains, peeling, dents, mold, abrasion, racks, and discoloration. However, considering its age, it is in good condition. Please take a look at the numerous photos provided. Atention: The items listed for sale are all used collectibles. Please consider them to have signs of aging, such as stains, scratches, scuffs, tears, discoloration, fading, fraying, and changes in thread color. We will post as many photos as possible to make it easy to understand. As these are old items, we appreciate your understanding before making a purchase. Shipping: The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan. We will use either DHL or FedEx for a safe and secure transportation. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery, and the package will be shipped with a tracking number. Import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other charges are not included in the item price and shipping cost. Please check your country's import duties before bidding. 081623130828