Helmet in the <i>Zenshōzan</i> Style with Case

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Although made in the Edo period (1615–1868), this helmet revives a style that was originally favored centuries earlier, during the Muromachi period (1336–1576). It has several exceptional features, including the raised lobe at the front of the helmet bowl (a type generally known as zenshōzan); the wide and elegant form of the neck guard; and the presence of cheekpieces and a secondary nape defense. Its remarkable similarities to actual helmets from the Muromachi period suggests that it was made by an armorer who had carefully studied and fully understood the defining characteristics of those earlier works.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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.

Metropolitan Museum of Art