Japanese Samurai's hat ?

[colin henshaw]

Hi

Japanese material is not really my area, but I bought this hat a few years ago, as I liked the quality of construction and it wasn't so expensive.

Are there Japanese experts on the forum who can help to identify the piece and give a possible date for it ? My understanding is it would be worn by lower-grade samurai, perhaps when not actually engaged in any combat ? Made of moulded wood that has been lacquered ?

I.D. and comments on the hat are most welcome.

Regards

[Rich]

It's called a Jingasa, usually worn by common foot soldiers, ashigaru. Many made of layers of lacquered leather, some of lacquered wood, some of iron. This looks rather new, perhaps a movie prop, re-enactor piece??

Rich S

The Japanese Sword Index
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

How do you delete a duplicate message? Can't find a button for that.

(i got it Rich. I can, you can't )

[Gavin Nugent]

Here is an older looking one in need of some restoration that was offered to me some time back as part of a collection. I have been told by students of Japanese objects that these can also be made out of paper and lacquered.

Best

Gav

[graeme gt]

Hi Colin,as Rich said yours appears modern here are my two to compare .

[kino]

Like Colin, it's not my area and I like the construction.
Not sure if it's rattan or bamboo. I was told that the covering is bear fur.
Crest?

[colin henshaw]

Thanks to those who gave their input on this - I like Kino's example of a jingasa - with the basketry and bear fur, it reminds me of one of those Naga or Assamese hats.

I did a google search using "jingasa" - saw some examples like mine described as for archery ? They would not seem to give much protection in a combat situation. My example seems to be too well made for a film prop...I wonder about the black lacquered circle on my hat - is that the "mon" or should it have a gilt motif/character ?

Any pointers as to judge the age of such Japanese objects ?

Regards.

[David]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Any pointers as to judge the age of such Japanese objects ?

Not my field at all Colin, but to look at you example next to these others it is clear, at least as far as the photos reveal, that yours has rarely if ever been worn, at least not on a regular basis. There are no signs of wear that i can see anywhere, either on the main body of the hat or on the head cushion and straps. Perhaps it is not a movie prop, but an "authentic" reproduction.

[asomotif]

Hello Colin,

Very interesting subject.
We hardly see japanese items on this website probably because there are other specialized forums.

I have no knowledge on japanse items, so only common sense to start from.

Maybe you can make some close up pictures of the lacquer work.
The inside of your example looks brand new.
Has it been refurbished ?

Best regards,
Willem

[colin henshaw]

Thanks David & Willem

Here are some close-ups of the hat. It seems to me to be original, as far as I can tell - there are a few small signs of wear to the lacquer, the red cotton pad underneath is worn through in one bit, next to the hat, and exposes a cotton-wool type material. The two "straps" seem to be white cotton over straw or grass of some sort...

Regards
Colin

[caveman]

nice

[David]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Here are some close-ups of the hat. It seems to me to be original, as far as I can tell - there are a few small signs of wear to the lacquer, the red cotton pad underneath is worn through in one bit, next to the hat, and exposes a cotton-wool type material. The two "straps" seem to be white cotton over straw or grass of some sort...

When i speak of "wear" i don't necessarily mean damage that might come from handling or storing an item.
I would think that oils from hair and skin would discolor or stain parts of the head cushion if this hat did indeed receive any prolonged wearing. I don't see evidence of that in your photos. I still think this might have been a repro, albeit a nice one, perhaps made to compliment an exhibit on Japanese weaponry or armor.