28 January 2023

Military helmet (Japan, 1618)


Reminds me of a tardigrade egg.  But if I were designing a helmet, I think I'd prefer one where weapons would glance off rather than get held by the spikes.

6 comments:

  1. Is that based on a sea shell? The spiral at the top gives it away.

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  2. But while his weapon is hung up for mere seconds you can cut him in half with your katana.
    xoxoxoBruce

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  3. The spikes could have had other uses (though there might have been a military use also). For instance:

    It could be based on aesthetics.

    It could be that they considered conch shell (if indeed the helmet is based on that design) as lucky--or that it brought a blessing.

    It might be that without the spikes, a blow from a sword could more easily land squarely and effectively, but that the spikes slow or deflect the blade.

    Or it might be that someone bribed the military general and offered him a kickback for every helmet the military bought.

    Or maybe the general's wife said, "Oh, those will make your soldiers look fabulous!"

    I could go on.... (SMILE)

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  4. A lot of the decoration on those helmets was pressed paper (like papier-mache) or balsa wood. The goal was to present something striking that would immediately identify the wearer on a battlefield (one helmet I've seen has enormous golden rabbit ears attached!). The core of the helmet was riveted steel plates and plenty sturdy.

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  5. As Michael Skeet said, it's a decoration, in this case a sazae shellfish, known as a turban shell. They're a very popular dish in Japan. https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gP_M91hGrlI/V5h5eY381zI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/Exgo9TZJMZcZqfHtxs7p2IU1P_OqJkT-ACLcB/s1600/IMG_3734.JPG

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