Helmet (<i>Hoshi- Kabuto</i>) in the 16th-Century Style

Helmet (<i>Hoshi- Kabuto</i>) in the 16th-Century Style

Saotome Ienari

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The overlapping edges of the iron plates form ridges (suji). Sixty-two of the paltes have star shaped rivets known as hoshi, giving the name of the helmet-bowl type (hoshi-bachi).

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Helmet (<i>Hoshi- Kabuto</i>) in the 16th-Century StyleHelmet (<i>Hoshi- Kabuto</i>) in the 16th-Century StyleHelmet (<i>Hoshi- Kabuto</i>) in the 16th-Century StyleHelmet (<i>Hoshi- Kabuto</i>) in the 16th-Century StyleHelmet (<i>Hoshi- Kabuto</i>) in the 16th-Century Style

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.