The Kyoto Shimbun
  • Home
  • Tradition/Culture
  • News
  • Helmets' Beauty Stands Out
    History Traced in Hikone Castle Museum, Shiga Prefecture

    5 August 2016 - Tradition/Culture
    Photo= Kurourushi-nuri Tatsunami-nari Kabuto" (owned by Hikone Castle Museum, photo provided by same)

    Photo= Kurourushi-nuri Tatsunami-nari Kabuto" (owned by Hikone Castle Museum, photo provided by same)

    "Various Styles of Helmet, from Riveted Dome to Flamboyant Ornaments," an exhibition to trace the history of helmets, is being held at Hikone Castle Museum, Konki-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. This is the museum's first themed exhibition to focus on helmets.

    In a suit of armor, the helmets are to protect heads. Their styles and roles changed over time according to changes in forms of warfare. Until the Muromachi Period, their practical utility was more valued, but in the Sengoku Period, or age of warring states during the latter part of the Muromachi Period, helmets with unusual designs began to be produced for the purposes of grandstanding and intimidation.

    Twenty-two items, including helmets and pieces, are on display demonstrating that transition.

    "Tetsuji Rokuju Yonken Kohoshi Kabuto" is a helmet produced by Nobuie Myochin, an armorer in the Sengoku period of the later Muromachi Period. Each of the 64 elongated iron plates are riveted to the "Hachi" or head-covering part, and the rivet heads that appear on the surface of the "Hachi" are called "Hoshi" or stars, which is the reason for its name.

    The helmet called "Kurourushi-nuri Tatsunami-nari Kabuto" is a historical material which had been passed down in the Ii clan. It is a "Kawari Kabuto," or strange helmet, and was seemingly produced in the Momoyama Period or the early-Edo Period. The cresting waves that rise up from the both sides of the "Hachi" are papier-mâché made of paper and other materials. The conspicuous design is considered to have been for asserting a strong presence on the battle field.

    The exhibition will continue until August 30. It is open every day. There is an entrance fee. For more information, call the museum at 0749-22-6100.

    (translated by Galileo, Inc.)
  • Also in Tradition/Culture:

    Release of Kyoto Animation's new film postponed amid virus scare
    6 April 2020

    img_c653c5833abfb040a509737579085ee6517268

    Kyoto museum to reopen in March with new contemporary art section
    19 November 2019

    A cross-shaped Western sword owned by Fujisaka Shrine = courtesy of the Koka City Board of Education, Shiga Prefecture

    "Minakuchi Rapier" Found to Be Japan Made
    Traditional Rapier Handed Down to Shrine in Shiga
    29 October 2019

    The Aoi Festival procession sets out from the Kyoto Imperial Palace (May 15, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto)

    First Aoi Festival in Reiwa Era
    Enchanting Picture Scroll of Heian Period
    10 June 2019

    Rika Ouno who has been selected as the 64th Saio-dai (at a hotel in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto)

    Rika Ouno Selected as Aoi Festival's 64th Saio-dai
    Former High School Lacrosse National Champion
    8 May 2019

News Archive
  • January 2021
  • August 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • More...
Categories
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • Temples/Shrines
  • Tradition/Culture
  • Local topics
  • Education/University
  • Business/Company
  • Traffic
  • Gourmet
  • 1min Kyoto
  • Kyoto
  • Shiga
Web site
Introducing Privacy Policy Japanese Site
Copyright © 1995-2021 The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
We use cookies for a number of reasons, such as keeping our websites reliable and secure, providing social media features and to analyze the performance of ads. Accept & continue Read More
Privacy Policy