Momoyama-Early Edo Period (16-17th c.)／Iron, silk, wood
34.0 x 34.0 x 16.0 cm
SUMMARY
This is a representative example of a sixty-two plate riveted suji-kabuto helmet. The shikoro, the fabric lacing hung along the bottom of the helmet, has a gold lacquered base and is an arrangement of five layers of rectangle plates with slits covered in a dark reddish purple thread. As for the decorative ornaments on the sides of the helmet, they are wood with gold foil, carved into the shape of an antler’s horns. The family crest of six one-mon coins on the folded frontal part suggests that this helmet was handed down in the family of Sanada, the lord of Matsushiro castle in Shinshu (now Nagano Prefecture).
ARTIST
Signed Saotome Iechika
Saotome Iechika is one of the armorers of the Saotome family who was active from the Momoyama era into the beginning of the Edo era. His style is serene, and the kabuto helmets he left are notable for having relatively flat tops, egg-shaped bottoms and deep crowns, made with well-tempered iron.
List of artworks by the same artist
INFORMATION
8 24, 2006 （Thu.）～11 19 （Sun.）
Treasures of Japanese Art from the TFAM Collection The Oscar Niemeyer Museum (Curitiba, Brazil)
11 3, 2004 （Wed.）～11 28 （Sun.）
Treasures of Japanese Art Exhibition Kagawa History Museum (Kagawa, Japan)
7 2, 1996 （Tue.）～8 11 （Sun.）
Treasures of Japanese Art from the TFAM Collection National Museum of Decorative Art (Havana, Cuba)
2 10, 1995 （Fri.）～4 16 （Sun.）
Treasures of Japanese Art: Edo Period 1615-1868 La Pedrera / The House Mila (Barcelona, Spain)
9 23, 1994 （Fri.）～1 22 （Sun.）
Treasures of Japanese Art: Edo Period 1615-1868 Juan March Foundation (Madrid, Spain)
5 28, 1994 （Sat.）～7 18 （Mon.）
Treasures of Japanese Art: The World of the Samurai Medici Museum, Medici-Riccardi Palace (Florence, Italy)
1 26, 1992 （Sun.）～3 22 （Sun.）
Treasures of Japanese Art from the TFAM Collection Kunstlerhaus (Vienna, Austria)
8 10, 1991 （Sat.）～10 20 （Sun.）
Behind Golden Screens: Treasures of Japanese Art from the TFAM Collection – An Official Event of Japan Festival ’91 and the Edinburgh Festival National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh, UK)
9 26, 1990 （Wed.）～12 9 （Sun.）
Treasures of Japanese Art National Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities (Stockholm, Sweden)
2 22, 1990 （Thu.）～4 1 （Sun.）
Treasures of Japanese Art from the TFAM Collection Sao Paulo Art Museum (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
5 29, 1989 （Mon.）～7 23 （Sun.）
Treasures of Japanese Art from the TFAM Collection Taplow Court Oriental Gallery (Taplow Court, UK)
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