Kabuto is a type of Japanese helmet, the term literally translating to "helmet". Specifically, Kabuto refers to full helmets that comprise a bowl and a visor. These were a critical component of Japanese armor, particularly seen in the gusoku type. The hoshi kabuto is the oldest and most frequently encountered form of kabuto.
History of the Kabuto
Historically, the oldest remains of Japanese armor and helmets trace back to the 4th-5th century CE. This ancient armor featured horizontal iron strips, replicating earlier leather forms shown in art. The helmets from this era came with a visor and were bolstered at the front by a crest. In the 5th-6th century, under Chinese influence, a helmet with a more rounded bell shape appeared. It was crafted from riveted vertical plates, known as kozane, complete with a wide brim and a plate visor. A small dome with an opening for a crest or tuft was placed atop these helmets.
During the late Heian period, classical lamellar armor, known as ō-yoroi, was developed, typically accompanied by the hoshi kabuto helmet. These were constructed with laced rows of iron scales, a defining feature of this style. The helmets were furnished with a brim, lining, a cord for tying, and were usually used in conjunction with a half mask called happori.
The hoshi kabuto initially had eight plates, but this number increased over time, with some examples featuring up to 72 plates. This led to an increase in the number of rivets, reaching several hundreds. Due to phonetic similarity and shared use of the written character, the term "star helmet" became associated with it, since hoshi can denote both a rivet head and a star. The hoshi kabuto maintained its form until the second half of the 14th century.
Between the 14th and 16th centuries, helmet design evolved, notably losing the prominent rivets and acquiring ridges created by bending the scale edges upwards. This variant, known as suji-kabuto, which surfaced in the latter half of the 16th century, often featured a broad visor and large side wings. Additionally, the bell shape of the suji was deeper than that of the hoshi, offering better protection for the warrior's head.
During the Ōnin War, attaching small flags to helmets became a common practice. By the end of the 16th century, helmets with prominent rivets made a comeback. Advances in armor craftsmanship led to the creation of various helmet types, many of which were richly decorated and designed to inspire fear and respect in the enemy due to their size.
The greatest diversity in helmet forms was achieved during the Sengoku period, also known as the "Age of Warring States". Besides traditional shapes, there were helmets inspired by fruit seeds, European helmets (including directly imported European ones, like morions, modified according to Japanese fashion), and helmets with tall, cone-shaped bells, known as eboshi kabuto. "War hats", called jingasa, flat hats made of metal or lacquered leather, also gained popularity, although these are typically not classified as kabuto.
Kabuto Components
In terms of components, the basic elements of the mature form of the Japanese helmet included a bell, usually made up of numerous small interconnected plates, to which a small steel plate visor was attached. Above the visor, there were mounts for various types of ornaments, often taking the shape of mythical creatures starting from the 11th century.
At the helmet's apex, there was typically an opening, referred to as tenku, tehen, or hachimanza, initially used for threading a samurai's topknot through. This was surrounded by a decorative rosette, frequently in the form of a chrysanthemum. The back of the warrior's head and neck were safeguarded by a visor made up of usually 3-7 metal or hardened leather plates.
The side edges of the visor were protected by small shields, sometimes displaying the wearer's heraldry. In archer's helmets, one of these shields was often angled to enhance the shooter's peripheral vision.
Types of Kabuto Helmets
- Chōchin-Kabuto
- Eboshi-Kabuto
- Hari Bashi Kabuto
- Hoshi Kabuto
- Kaji Kabuto
- Kawari Kabuto
- Karuta Kabuto
- Koboshi Bashi Kabuto
- Momonari Kabuto
- Suji Bashi Kabuto
- Zunari Kabuto