Japan - 32 Plate Suji-Bachi Kabuto - Samurai Helmet

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Japan, Muromachi Period, Sengoku War (1466-1573 AD) - A 32 Plate Suji-Bachi Kabuto (兜, 冑) Samurai Helmet. The dome (hachi) is slightly raised to the front and back, resembling a goshozan style shape. It has 32 overlapping elongated russet-iron plates, with raised ribs where the plates join. There are four-pointed rivets total, one to each 45-degree plate. There are three small holes, one below the two front rivets and one to the very back. The top hole (tama buchi) has a chrysanthemum design. The frontal crest (maedate) features a gold circular sun design secured to the haraidate. It is very fragile, has a small piece of masking tape on it and wants to break apart. The flanges (fukigaeshi) are smaller in size, with an obverse applied textured leather, decorated in red painted chrysanthemum flowers. The three piece neck guard (shikoro) is secured to the hachi with four dome rivets. They are attached together with blue lacing. The visor brim (mabisashi) is secured with three dome rivets. The wide cord (hinobi-no-o) is made of a brown cloth covered cotton. The interior leather rim and blue cloth remain intact. Being 500 years old it is frail as is expected. A rare offering.