Funny shaped Japanese hats

[kenshin393]

A friend is about to start on this young miniatures bust and he was asking me if it is based on a real person as the helm itself is certainly real, I'm stumped, he reckons it's early edo period but that's about it. I'm sure someone here will know so, who owned this hat?

 

[Mirofsoft]

.Shachihoko-Shaped Kabuto (Samurai helmet); Japan, early Edo period, 18th century. From the exhibition: “Art of the Samurai Period” at the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum.

 

[akaryu]

鯱なり 兜 or shachihikonari kabuto, that is helmet shaped like a killer whale is indeed early Edo period as Mirofsoft rightly points out. That means it is in fact a little too late in time to be brandished on the head of a daimyô in full battle regalia but what with these daimyô, one never can be sure! As far as I know it is not formally attributed to someone, but somewhere they are associated with the Shimazu-clan. The one shown by kenshin393 is still in the Fuji Art Museum and below are pictures of a similar kabuto before and after restauration.
Happy painting!

 

[kenshin393]

Cheers chaps, I have forwarded your replies to my esteemed friend. He thanks you unreservedly.

 

[Forté]

Hi and thank you for asking this kenshin. Thought I'd actually sign up and say thank you for the feedback everyone.

 

[kenshin393]

Hi and thank you for asking this kenshin. Thought I'd actually sign up and say thank you for the feedback everyone.

Wotcha Steve

 

[yellowcat]

This is a kawar-kabuto. Based on a twelve plates iron bowl, a shachihikonari or a mythical orca has been built up in moulded leather and paper. Lacquered black and highlighted in red and goild, the helmet is mounted with silver. Early Edo period, 18th century. From the exhibition: “Art of the Samurai period” at the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. One of my Samurai reference book indicated is based on a six plates iron bowl circa is 1600-1650.






Here is a similar kabuto from the Takatsu Kobunka Kaikan, Kyoto. Surmounting a pointed helmet bowl composed of twelve iron plates is the harikake orca. The face is coated in lacquer textured by being tapped while still wet with a cloth covered ball of cotton. The scales are lined in gold and all the fins are removable. Brass sheets filigreed into waves patterns are set on either side of the body to suggest the ocean through which the creature swims.

 

[Forté]

yellocat, from seeing you posts in the reference material area you seem to be a fountain of samurai knowledge. Thank you for sharing this information. Will give me some more insight when it comes to painting.

 

[Forté]

Ok, thank you all for the information, and I went for it.


I'm also wondering whether this would more be suitable than the blue based on clans.


Once again, thank you all for the help (especially kenshin for kicking it all of and showing me PF).

 

[kenshin393]

That'll look good over black armour and if you've got a photo of a Shimazu-clan jinbaori then why not replicate it eh?

 

[yellowcat]

That jinbaori looks like from my Samurai references. Glad you can use it on your bust.

 

[Forté]

That'll look good over black armour and if you've got a photo of a Shimazu-clan jinbaori then why not replicate it eh?

Exactly what I was thinking

That jinbaori looks like from my Samurai references. Glad you can use it on your bust.

Funny you say that as that is exactly where I saw it. Will be printing off a few things that you posted in the reference area. Even down to his weapons. You posted great things at a lucky time for me

 

[Forté]

I know it's been quite some time but I thought I'd update on the little progress I've made.

I've played 'hunt the mould line' and done a little miliput work too. Dry fits have also happened which a has made me realise just how many layers of armour and clothing have been sculpted into this bust. And frankly I'm stunned but also a bit intimidated too.

Pre soapy bath time.


Body and arm dry fit and scary revelation moment.


And I got the helmet together. All 11 parts of it too.


After having a search around I've decided that I'm going to use more subdued colours rather than some of the super saturated bold designs often seen on samurai miniatures. Still trying to figure out what patterns to use where though, but I'm also thinking less is more on those and keeping that to the hitatare and inside of the jinbaori (which will still be the red Shimazu clan one I posted above against black lacquered hard armour).

Would love to hear some thoughts an feedback though.

 

[Mirofsoft]

Early Edo helmet

 

[Mirofsoft]

Sorry
didn't saw that somebody already posted some pictures

 

[Forté]

Sorry
didn't saw that somebody already posted some pictures

That's ok. Kenshin started this thread after I spoke with him about this bust on Facebook ages ago (I wasn't a member then so missed out on quite a bit).