Descripción
Officer’s gingasa, dome-shaped, with iron body, lacquered and shell-decoration, gilded mon (family crest on front), € 550 (con desc 500)
Samurai period items:
As you perhaps don’t know so much, I give you some explanation as well as photos from reference book. Samurai headdress is usually the gingasa (flat or domed shaped hat or helmet) for protection against the elements and rain. Usually of wood and paper or leather, lacquered, some made of steel or iron interior body. On outside usually is the symbol of the family (clan), Mon, in goldpaint.
Others would wear the kabuto with mempo (steel helmet and facemask), usually lacquered steel, such as samurai officer’s or higher NCO’s.
Both the gingasa and kabuto are about late Edo period (1840-60), although the gingasa might be a bit earlier. Usually on Kabuto’s the silk binding has been replaced at later dates as it is very unusual that it stays intact for more than 100 years, unless it is well cared for. Your kabuto is not a parade one, or ceremony, but an actual combat (that is why it is so very heavy), with 3 reinforced plates on the skull of the helmet. It is lacquered outside, which is general Japanese practice.
