Japanese Samurai's hat ?

colin henshaw · 9th January 2010, 10:53 AM

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 · 9th January 2010, 11:18 AM

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 · 9th January 2010, 12:11 PM

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 · 9th January 2010, 04:39 PM

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

kino · 9th January 2010, 07:19 PM

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 · 11th January 2010, 02:47 PM

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 · 11th January 2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

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 · 11th January 2010, 03:26 PM

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 · 11th January 2010, 05:19 PM

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 · 13th January 2010, 06:49 AM

nice

David · 13th January 2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

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.

9th January 2010, 10:53 AM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Japanese Samurai's hat ? 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 Attached Images

9th January 2010, 11:18 AM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	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 ) Last edited by David; 9th January 2010 at 04:28 PM.

9th January 2010, 12:11 PM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Here is an older looking one 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 Attached Images

9th January 2010, 04:39 PM	#4
graeme gt Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 97	Hi Colin,as Rich said yours appears modern here are my two to compare . Attached Images

9th January 2010, 07:19 PM	#5
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 999	Samurai going to town hat 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? Attached Images

11th January 2010, 02:47 PM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	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.

11th January 2010, 03:26 PM	#8
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,224	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

11th January 2010, 05:19 PM	#9
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	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 Attached Images

13th January 2010, 06:49 AM	#10
caveman Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 11	nice