Kyo-Kachuu Kabuto Issui "Crescent moon"

【What is the Kyo-Kachuu Kabuto?】
The special feature of Kyo-Kachuu Kabuto(Traditional Samurai helmet of Kyoto style) is the "Elegance".
The culture of Kyo-Kachuu has Kabuto has been developed among the aristocracies as the artistic ornament.
So, the way of crafting Kyo-Kachuu Kabuto contains the important technics of traditional metal arts and Nishijin silk fabrics.

In Kyoto, we celebrate traditionally "Tango no sekku" on the May 5th (Children's day) by displaying this kind of helmet which symbolizes a boy's birth and wish for the boy to grow strong.

【Kyo-Kachuu by "Heian Isuui"】
This Kyo-Kachuu is created by "4th Heian Issui" who is a Master of Traditional Craft certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Heian Isuui is the special family name succeeded from generation by generation.
"Heian Issui " has his factory at Yamashina area at the foot of the Mausoleum of Emperor Tenchi, in Kyoto.
His name "Heian Issui" contains the meaning of "Calm and generous craftsman who lives in Kyoto".
"Heian" means the ancient name of Kyoto and "Issui" means the water flow from Higashiyama(East mountain of Kyoto).

The motto of his creation is "smooth and beautiful ". "Issui" and his colleagues start from the creation of iron plate (the base of armor and helmet) to final decoration
without any stagnation like clear water flow.

【Build up the Odoshi】
Building up the Odoshi(braid of armor) is one of the most important techniques to created the helmet.
This is used at the back of the helmet.
Crafts person laces two different curved scales(Kozane) with special silk threads to build up the back of helmet.
If it is laced too tight, back side of helmet becomes too hard, On the other hand, if it laced too loosely, the form of the back side of helmet
collapses. It should be mecessary more than five years to master this technique.
As the silk threads are so strong and flexible, if this braid works are perfect, the touch of the Odoshi is soft and supple but strong.

【"Inden"leather】
Parts of the helmet, the "Inden" leather (deerskin) is used.
Inden is the leather which has been dyed with lacquer with decoration. Inden technique has been produced in the middle of Edo period (1662-1779).

【Helmet and the Box】
Gold foil is used on the helmet and the box. Each piece has been decorated in details. The detail of the box represents the quality of the helmet.
The box is finished with lacquer.

【Notice】
Pure silk clothe is placed Please avoid water, it will shrink into almost to half with water.

【About this product】
The feature of this helmet is the front crest "Crescent Moon" which was used for the helmet of Date Masamune who was so popular Samurai
from the North east region of Japan. Date Masamune was called as a "Date Otoko" which means fashionable and cool man.
So, if you see well the back of this helmet, you will find that all scales (Kozane) are Japanese lacquered black and they are woven well by dark blue braids.
The color of this deep blue braids is called as "Tetsu Kon" which means dark blue which shows the texture of iron, dark blue but a little bit green.
This kind of color is on of the Japan Blue, and it was so popular in the 17th to 19th century in Japan.
This is an unique styke of helmet and would be loved by some fan of Japanese History.

【Specification】
Material: iron for scales and top of the helmet, silk for the braids, brass for the metal decoration, "Inden" leather for the base of "Fukikaeshi" (blow back).
　　　　　　Box is made from lacquered wood, and gold foil decoration.
Size: W23.5cm ×　L29cm × H40cm (inclusive of the lacquered box)
weight：7,000g

Origin of country: Japan

Product Type: HOME DÉCOR
Collection: SAMURAI >