HARUTA IETSUGU (ACTIVE 17th century)

A 32-plate Haruta school suji kabuto and a hanbo
Edo period (1615-1868), 17th century

A 32-plate Haruta school suji kabuto and a hanbo
Edo period (1615-1868), 17th century
The russet-iron helmet constructed of 32 plates assembled in a goshozan profile, each standing flange folded over on itself in suji makikomi technique, the front and rear central plates decorated with iron shinodare and the crown with a two-stage iron tehen kanamono, the mabizashi trimmed with a copper fukurin, the bowl mounted with a five-lame Hineno jikoro lacquered back and laced in maroon; the russet-iron hanbo with two cord pegs and a central spout on the chin for expelling sweat, fitted with a three-lame yodarekake, with a red-lacquer signature (effaced)
6 1/2in high (16.5cm) high, the helmet only

For a discussion on Haruta Ietsugu, see Kei Kaneda Chappelear, Japanese Armor Makers for the Samurai, Tokyo, Miyoshi Printing Co., 1987, pp. 190-191.