For the military leaders of Japan’s period of civil wars (from the late 1400s through the 1500s), the battlefield was a stage. One of their major concerns was how to stand out among tens of thousands of enemies and allies. Distinctive helmets were among the methods developed to awe the enemy and identify oneself to friendly troops. These helmets bear a variety of crests: Buddhist and Shinto deities, animals and plants, fish and shellfish, as well as inanimate objects. Unconventional headgear such as this piece became very popular among military leaders toward the end of the period.

This example, with papier-mâché attachments, was used by the third-generation Hokosawa lord. The head covering, or bowl, is made of iron plate; the headband decoration, of layered Japanese paper in the shape of a knotted cloth. The whole helmet was lacquered and coated with silver leaf, which has oxidized to a gray patina.