Description
- Kabuto is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors, and in later periods, they became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. Japanese helmets dating from the fifth century (long before the rise of the samurai class) have been found in excavated tombs.
- A typical kabuto features a central dome constructed of anywhere from three to over a hundred metal plates riveted together. These were usually arranged vertically, radiating from a small opening in the top. The rivets securing these metal plates to each other could be raised (a form known as hoshi-bachi) or hammered flat (a form known as suji-bachi); another form, called hari bachi, had the rivets filed flush.
- A small opening in the top of the kabuto, called the tehen or hachimanza (seat of the war god, Hachiman), was thought to be for passing the warrior's top knot through. Although this practice was largely abandoned after the Muromachi period, this opening may have been retained for purposes of ventilation or simply as an artifact of how the plates were riveted together.
- Kabuto incorporated a suspended neck guard called a shikoro, usually composed of three to seven semicircular, lacquered metal or oxhide lames, attached and articulated by silk or leather lacing, although some shikoro were composed of 100 or more small metal scales in a row. This lamellar armour style, along with kusari (mail armour), was the standard technology of Japanese body armour, and some shikoro were made of mail sewn to a cloth lining (a form called kusari shikoro).
- Kabuto are often adorned with crests called datemono or tatemono; the four types of decorations were the maedate (frontal decoration), wakidate (side decorations), kashiradate (top decoration), and ushirodate (rear decoration). These can be family crests (mon), or flat or sculptural objects representing animals, mythical entities, prayers or other symbols. Horns are particularly common, and many kabuto incorporate kuwagata, stylized deer horns.
The lamps are constructed with washi which is a kind of handmade paper of good texture, durability and translucence. The word "washi" is composed of "wa" which means "japanese," and "shi" which means "paper". It refers to Japanese paper handmade using traditional methods, derived from the ancient art of papermaking. The washi is achieved with very fine handwork. This paper has been used for centuries in Japanese homes for their ability to filter the light, softening the intensity and creating subdued lighting. The washi is traditionally produced using vegetable fibers from bamboo, hemp, rice, mulberry and other local plants. Since 2014, the washi has been associated in the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. ******** A special first rate, high-quality washi is used. The lamps are completely handmade by Shino Iwamura, from the conceptual drawings to the coloring by hand. LED candle included. To avoid shipping problems, the batteries are not included. The quality of each lamp is absolutely guaranteed! (^_^) WARNING The lamps MUST NOT be used with real candles. DIMENSIONS Height 26 cm / 10.2 inch --- Diameter 12 cm / 4.7 inch ******** I use high quality materials and I guarantee that with my professional means of production, the products will maintain their original quality and design. The greatest satisfaction of doing this job, is knowing that there are people around the world who purchase my products, places that I will probably never visit. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me (^_^)
