"Sōfukurin kabuto" samurai helmet. Japan, Izumo Province, 17th century. Edo period

"Sōfukurin kabuto" samurai helmet. Japan, Izumo Province, 17th century. Momoyama period.
Accompanied by a “tetsusabiji resei menpō” face mask, Edo period, 18th century.
Iron, gilded bronze, copper, leather, lacquer, and textile cordwork.
Helmet shell composed of 32 iron plates.
Heraldic emblem (kamon): maruni sumitate yotsume.
Provenance: important private collection, Brussels (Belgium).
In good condition.
Measurements: 46 x 35 x 37 cm.

This samurai helmet is an outstanding example of Japanese armor from the Momoyama tradition, characterized by the technical and ornamental sophistication of its armor. The helmet shell is of the sōfukurin suji-bachi kabuto type, composed of 32 iron plates, with the ribs highlighted by gilded bronze inlays (fukurin). The base features higaki decoration with a central inome, an ornamental heart-shaped opening that stylistically represents the eye of a wild boar. The top finial incorporates a six-tiered copper tehen.

The visor (mabizashi) and side flaps (fukigaeshi) are covered in leather and edged with gilded bronze profiles featuring a granulated decoration. The neck guard (shikoro), of the Etchū type, consists of five iron plates in kiritsuke kozane style, joined by blue cordwork (odoshi). On the back, it retains a ring (agemakitsuke) intended for the ornamental cords. Also noteworthy is the heraldic emblem (kamon)—maruni sumitate yotsume—which appears on the front ornamentation and the side flaps.

The ensemble is completed by an 18th-century face mask (tetsusabiji resei menpō), whose main body is forged from a single piece of iron, extending from the cheeks to the ears. It features a detachable nose and a mustache made of horsehair, with tufts extending on both sides of the face. The throat guard (yodare-kake) consists of three black-lacquered iron plates, with dark blue cordwork and orange hishi-nui trim; the interior is lacquered in vermilion. In addition to their defensive function, these elements gave the warrior an intimidating appearance and conveyed the prestige associated with samurai armor.