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Sengoku-to-Early Edo Iron Black-Lacquer Melon-Shaped Kabuto | Janome “Snake-Eye” Crest | 5-Tier Hineno Shikoro | Gilt Copper Kuwagata Maedate
Sengoku-to-Early Edo Iron Black-Lacquer Melon-Shaped Kabuto | Janome “Snake-Eye” Crest | 5-Tier Hineno Shikoro | Gilt Copper Kuwagata Maedate
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Iron Black-Lacquer Melon-Shaped Kabuto with Janome “Snake-Eye” Crest
A compact, historically literate kabuto of melon-shaped profile, finished in deep black lacquer over iron and punctuated by a bold janome “snake-eye” crest. The silhouette is immediate and correct: a rounded disciplined bowl, paired with a five-tier Hineno shikoro and tied together with purple kebiki-style lacing. The result reads as period armor first, and display sculpture second.
The listing notes the bowl appears constructed from multiple small plates, aligning with pragmatic late medieval engineering. Whether the final dating resolves to late Sengoku or early Edo by in-hand study, the helmet’s vocabulary belongs to that transitional world—where protection, status, and household identity converged into a single object and were later preserved as inherited regalia.
The janome motif functions as both graphic signature and protective symbol—an unblinking mark of vigilance. Its survival on a black lacquer ground, even with age-appropriate surface cracking and wear, contributes documentary authority rather than cosmetic distraction.
Included is a gilt copper maedate in a wide upward-sweeping kuwagata-like form, made from thin copper sheet with gilded finish (per listing). The maedate is presented as likely of similar age; collector-safe practice is to treat this as compatible and period-consistent pending in-hand verification of mounting, wear patterns, and metal surface aging.
Object Type
A kabuto is the samurai helmet—both protective armor and social declaration. Bowl construction, lacquer, lacing, and crests communicated rank, lineage, and spiritual alignment, and many examples circulated as inherited household regalia displayed long after active use.
Dimensions & Weight
- Kabuto bowl height: approx. 16 cm
- Width: approx. 20.5 cm
- Depth: approx. 22 cm
- Total weight (as listed): approx. 1,510 g
- Maedate (gilt copper): H 24 cm × W 21.7 cm × T 1 mm
Confidence & Verification Notes
Dating and construction are presented as informed hypotheses based on listing details and visual vocabulary; in-hand examination can refine period, plate construction, and maedate mounting history. Photographs remain the primary condition record.
Authenticity & Stewardship
Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:
- Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
- Iconographic and stylistic verification
- Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
- Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation
Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.
A Note on Stewardship and Collecting
At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.
Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.
Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration
Some of the cultural and heritage works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.
If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.
Concierge Support & Collector Guidance
Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.
For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.
Before Proceeding
We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.
A Closing Note
Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Oriental Cultural Heritage and arts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.
If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.
