– A rare surviving example of a hand-woven bamboo jingasa (陣笠), the low-crowned field hat worn by foot soldiers and retainers throughout the Edo and Meiji periods – Bearing a family crest (kamon) — an emblem that ties this piece directly to a specific clan or household, adding genealogical and historical depth – Generously scaled at 34 cm in diameter and 14 cm in height: a commanding display object that holds its own on a wall, shelf, or in a cabinet devoted to Japanese arms and armour Summary: A woven bamboo jingasa carrying a family crest (kamon), a form of protective headwear used across the Edo and into the Meiji period by the foot soldiers and lower-ranking retainers of samurai households. Entirely hand-crafted from bamboo, the hat retains its original domed profile without distortion — a testament to the resilience of the material and the quality of its construction. The presence of a kamon elevates this piece beyond a generic military object: it connects the hat to a specific family lineage, and for the collector or researcher, that crest may offer a thread worth following. Some wear and age-related marks are present, entirely consistent with an object of genuine age and use. The jingasa has a longer history than is often appreciated in the West. Far from a crude field implement, it occupied a precise place in the strict sumptuary hierarchy of Edo-period Japan. The materials from which a hat could be made — lacquered iron, leather, woven bamboo — and the crests a soldier was permitted to bear were regulated by rank and by the household to which he belonged. A bamboo jingasa with a kamon is therefore a document of social order as much as a piece of military equipment. Woven bamboo construction of this kind demands considerable skill. The material must be split, dried, prepared, and woven by hand to produce a form strong enough to function as a helmet yet light enough for field use. The weave pattern on a well-made jingasa is tight and even; the dome is achieved without a mould, relying on the craftsman's eye and touch. A piece that has maintained its form across many decades — without significant distortion — speaks to the quality of that original work. The kamon (family crest) marks this hat as belonging to, or produced for, an identifiable household. Family crests in Japan are among the most systematically documented in world heraldry; with the right reference works, a kamon can often be traced to a particular clan, region, or social tier. For collectors with an interest in Japanese genealogy or regional history, this detail makes the piece genuinely researchable. In a European interior, a jingasa of this scale works as a wall-mounted piece or as a focal point within a grouping of Japanese antiques. The combination of organic material, age, and heraldic marking gives it an authority that reproduction pieces entirely lack. Some wear and surface marks are present, consistent with genuine age and honest use over time. Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer's responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese collectibles and guarantee this piece's authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours.