Original Item: Only One Available. A KASA (笠) is any one of several sorts of traditional Japanese hats. Some types are amigasa, jingasa, sandogasa, sugegasa, and takuhatsugasa. Note that rendaku ("sequential voicing") causes kasa to change to gasa when it is preceded by another word specifying the type of hat: thus, JINGASA ("camp hat"; helmet). These were issued to the lowliest soldiers of the Japanese War Lords (The Samurai). They were used by simple Infantry who acted as Musketeers using the then prevalent Matchlock ignition system.

This example dates from during the Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo. By the end of the Edo period, known as the Bakumatsu Period of 1853-1868, the use of the Jingasa became more widespread to include being used by clan armies. It was used frequently by the Aizu Rifle corps during the Boshin War of 1868-1869.

Examination of this helmet leads us to believe it was probably made in the early 19th century, towards the end of the Edo Period. In the effort to bring Japan into the modern World of the Victorian age there was dreadful push back from the SAMURAI Class of Feudal system Warriors. There was a great rebellion in 1868-1869 known as the Boshin War (戊辰戦争 Boshin Sensō, "War of the Year of the Yang Earth Dragon") in which the Samurai class was finally eliminated.

This is an original Japanese Mounted Soldier's Lacquer based head covering or helmet. These in fact provided exceptional protection from attack with a blade from a horseman. Known as a Bajo Jingasa, the styles varied according to family or clan, but this general shape was usually seen on soldiers on horseback.

These were usually used with a minimal padded cushion liner, with a squarish pad on the crown, and padded loops to go on either side of the head. These would then be connected by straps or ribbons. This example still has the complete liner, which is a modified type with two smaller pads, one on each side, connected to padded straps. These don't feel like they contain the usual rope or plant fibers, so this may be a liner replaced in the late 1900s for display, as it is definitely not the first liner used. These helmets would be refit again and again during their service life. There are additional eyelets around the top of the crown, and more around the edge, probably for some type of neck protection. Definitely lots of great aspects to this helmet! This is definitely not a helmet that was restored recently or one of the many modern made helmets flooding the market.

The bajo jingasa has lovely red urushi lacquer on the exterior and interior, and bears a gold five petaled flower Mon family crest on the front, which we were unfortunately not able to identify. There is checking and crazing in the lacquer, showing that it is quite old, and there is some chipping around the edges. The shell appears to be made of wood or pressed paper layers covered with fabric and lacquer, which can be seen where the finish has chipped away. The helmet measures 12 1/4" across side to side, and 14" front to back, with a height of about 5".

A very interesting Original Japanese Mounted Soldier's BAJO JINGASA Helmet of circa 1820. Ready to display!