HELMET, Japanese Samurai Replica

a. Replica Japanese Samurai helmet, O-boshi-hoshi-kabuto. The bowl is low and rounded, coloured black with 13 gilt spatulate strips each with 5 large rivet heads; in the centre, there is a metal cap covering the traditional hole. The helmet's peak is rounded with a chrysanthemum and foliage motif. A neck guard is coloured red with a black border and both sections are gilt decorated. The rounded neck guard turns back at the front to form fukigayeshi which are heavily decorated with vines and chrysanthemums (the chrysanthemum is the crest of the Emperor). Directly over the peak there are two large, ornate side crests (wakidate) and between them, a forecrest holder in the form of a shrine with two clasped doors which open to reveal a figure at prayer. Winged figures are etched on the inside of the doors and fantastic winged beasts have been embossed on the outside. The four traditional holes (hibiki-no-ana) are set high on the neck guard and are threaded with orange cord tied in a bow at the front, with two tassels. b. A cushion in red fabric with yellow chrysanthemums and foliage, outlined in gold. Green thread is tied at the four corners and the centre. The cushion is used to support the helmet. This item, together with a number of extra articles, was presented to Sir Charles Court in December 1981 when he visited Hyogo, Japan. .his followed the Sister State agreement made between Western Australia and the Hyogo State Prefecture on 23 June 1981. The original Hyogo exhibition, set up in mid June in the Allendale Square, was essentially a trade exhibition but Sir Charles Court, the Premier of Western Australia, assured Governor Tokitada Sakai of Japan's Hyogo Prefecture that the exhibits would be used to set up a permanent display, a memento of the Sister State relationship. A part of the Beaufort Street Gallery was set aside for this purpose and the items remained there from 1981 until refurbishing of museum areas in 1989.

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History Collection

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