Item: Nambanboushinari Kabuto
Age: Momoyama Period
Provenance: The Shogun Art Collection
"HOLD"
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Remarks: With the arrival of the Portugese in Japan in 1543 the 16th century saw great changes in Japanese armour styles.
As a result of European contacts the Japanese developed European style armour usually after Italian morions or cuirasses called "Namban-gusoku" or southern barbarian armour, which was highly valued. The demand was fueled by the boom for the exotic and foreign. Daimyo eager to stand out quickly began to order custom kabuto such as this one.
Western design motif with extensive use of “silver splatter” sawari hightlight this unique Kabuto. Namban armor was produced for a short period of time until about 1645 when westerners were shut back out of Japan.
The Japanese were first rather dismissive of the manners of the newly arrived foreigners. A contemporary Japanese account relates: "They eat with their fingers instead of with chopsticks such as we use. They show their feelings without any self-control. They cannot understand the meaning of written characters" (from Boxer, “Christian century”).
Inquiries: It is our goal at Shogun Art to provide the finest in rare antique Samurai Armor. We are privileged to serve many collectors, museums and dealers from around the world. If you have an inquiry regarding a specific item please send us an e-mail.
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