Vintage Japanese Gogatsu Ningyo Kabuto (Boys' Day Ceremonial Helmet Display), Heisei Era (1990-2018) | SKU: 26M-030-1

Vintage Japanese Gogatsu Ningyo Kabuto (Boys' Day Ceremonial Helmet Display), Heisei Era (1990-2018) | SKU: 26M-030-1

A spectacular gogatsu ningyo kabuto -- a Boys' Day ceremonial helmet display -- rendered in lavishly worked brass with dragon maedate, pierced kuwagata, and a black lacquered presentation box.

A gogatsu ningyo kabuto is a decorative samurai helmet crafted specifically for display during Tango no Sekku, the traditional Japanese Boys' Day festival celebrated on the fifth of May. Displayed in the home to wish young boys strength, courage, and good fortune, these kabuto are among the most striking examples of Japanese decorative craft -- combining metalwork, textile art, and lacquerwork into a single ceremonial object. This display-grade example is a superb showcase of Heisei-era craftsmanship: the hachi (helmet bowl) is encrusted with densely repoussed and pierced brass fittings worked in intricate floral and cloud motifs, while the shikoro (neck guard) is laced in graduated layers of saffron orange and deep purple odoshi cord with multicolor brocade trim. Rising from the front is a boldly cast dragon maedate -- a crest ornament -- set with a green stone accent, flanked by a pair of sweeping kuwagata (crescent-shaped front ornaments) in pierced and engraved gold-tone brass. A braided gold sageo cord with silk tassels drapes elegantly across the front, completing the ceremonial display.

Beyond its traditional role as a Boys' Day gift, this kabuto makes an extraordinary living room accent or study focal point for collectors of Japanese vintage armor and decorative arts. Its bold gold-tone presence and Japandi-inspired contrast of black lacquer and gleaming brass make it equally at home as a statement piece in a contemporary interior -- displayed on a console table, atop a bookcase, or as the centerpiece of a curated collector's shelf. The included black lacquered hexagonal display box, fitted throughout with ornate cast brass corner and edge fittings, functions as both a storage chest and a formal presentation stand, adding to the object's visual drama. A truly unique housewarming gift or gift for Japanophiles who appreciate the intersection of history and artisanship.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1990-2018 (Heisei)
• Material: Brass (gold-tone) metalwork with pierced and repoussed fittings; odoshi lacing in silk and braided cord; green stone accent on maedate; black lacquered wood display box with cast brass fittings
• Use: Ceremonial Boys' Day (Tango no Sekku) gogatsu ningyo kabuto -- displayed in the home to celebrate and bless young boys with the virtues of the samurai
• Modern Use: Living room statement decor; collector's display piece for Japanese armor enthusiasts; unique gift for Japanophiles or fans of Japanese history and culture
• Features: Pierced and engraved kuwagata (crescent front ornaments) in gold-tone brass; cast dragon maedate crest with green stone accent; densely repoussed brass fittings covering the hachi and shikoro; graduated odoshi lacing in saffron orange and deep purple with multicolor brocade trim; braided gold sageo cord with silk tassels; black lacquered hexagonal display box with ornate cast brass corner, edge, and foot fittings throughout
• Dimensions: --
• Condition: Excellent

A commanding piece of vintage Japanese decorative craft -- this gogatsu ningyo kabuto brings the pageantry and spirit of samurai tradition into any modern home with effortless, golden grandeur.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.