Helmet
1600-1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Japan, landing in 1543. They brought with them matchlock guns (the first firearms with mechanical firing devices) and ship-mounted cannon, whose firepower far exceeded anything known in the country at that time. Japan’s feuding warlords were quick to recognise the power of the gun and began to produce firearms in large numbers. With the introduction of guns, European-style plate armour became both necessary and fashionable. The shape of this helmet is based on the Portuguese cabasset but with the addition of the traditional Japanese neck-guard found on purely Japanese helmets.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Hammered iron with silver inlay and applied iron decoration, leather, silk and gilt copper |
| Brief description | Met, Japan, armour and helmets |
| Physical description | Japanese helmet in a Portuguese style; hammered iron with silver inlay and applied iron decoration, leather, silk and gilt copper with a red lacquered interior |
| Dimensions |
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| Summary | The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Japan, landing in 1543. They brought with them matchlock guns (the first firearms with mechanical firing devices) and ship-mounted cannon, whose firepower far exceeded anything known in the country at that time. Japan’s feuding warlords were quick to recognise the power of the gun and began to produce firearms in large numbers. With the introduction of guns, European-style plate armour became both necessary and fashionable. The shape of this helmet is based on the Portuguese cabasset but with the addition of the traditional Japanese neck-guard found on purely Japanese helmets. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.59-1922 |
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| Record created | February 7, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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