Kabuto (helmet)

The most popular kinds of helmet are the kashira zukuri, sakugata, shiigata, momogata, kimen, sohatsu, toukwan, and tatamijiku. The shikoro (neck protector attached to the back of the helmet) has also such varieties as manju, hineno, itjikoro, wari jikoro, ite jikoro, tousei jikoro, mukashi jikoro, etc. There are two kinds of mabusashi (eyeshades), and also two kinds of fuki kayeshi ("ears" of the helmet) namely, ancient and modern. The helmets most recommended are the kashiradzukuri, sakugata, shiigata, and momogata. Of shikoro, the hineno and tousei are strongly recommended. Before putting on the helmet, the hair must be undone, but to avoid want of neatness when the helmet is removed, it is advisable to dress the hair in chasen style (an ancient mode) as though you were going to wear an yeboshi (ceremonial cap). It is also wise to cover your head, before putting on a helmet, with the momidzukin or asanodzukin (both are skull caps) or hachimaki (a turban) otherwise you will feel pain in the head. Putting on a helmet in ikubi (wild boar neck) style means putting it on with the front part tilted upwards. This style is advantageous in fighting with swords or spear, and as it also looks better, its adoption is advised. Of shinobi-no-o (helmet cords) there are three lengths (mitsuischi, yotsuchi, and itsuichi as before mentioned) to suit helmets having 3,4, or 5 loops respectively. The kind used depends upon the shape of the helmet. Of materials for these cords the following are the best: White cotton cloth, silk crepe, soft sild cord made for the purpose of binding tsuzumi (a kind of drum) or neriguri ito (untwisted silk cord). Hard twisted silk cord is not good. Kukehimo (a cotton cloth folded and sewed up as a rope) is very good for this purpose.

How to arrange the cord? This is a very important matter. To secure the helmet rigidly the cords must be firmly tied. This may be accomplished in several ways. I will explain six, and then other ways will be naturally understood:

1. As illustrated by Plate IIIa you will put the helmet on, carry the free ends of the cords down under the hooks on the cheeks of the mask, then pass them - from the inside to outside - through the loops hanging down behind the ears, pull them down towards the chin and tie them either under the lower lip or under the chin.
2. As illustrated by Plate IIIc pull the wa-no-o (the U-shaped loop hanging down from the front tabs in the helmet) towards the front of the chin, catching the hooks on the cheeks from behind; put the free ends which hang from the back of the helmet beneath the wa-no-o from the front towards the back; and pull them up towards the head; pass them over the cords arranged inside the helmet; pull them down and tie them under the chin. This is a very good arrangement for anyone who does not wear a mask.
3. The arrangement illustrated in Plate IIIf is almost the same as the last described, but it is adapted to a helmet having four tabs instead of three.
4. The arrangement shown in Plate IIIh is similar to those in Fig C and Fig F, the chief variation being in arrangement of the cord through the two tabs at the back of the helmet.
5. Plate IIIk. Put the helmet on your head as usual; carry both cords under the hooks on the mask; pull them up behind the ears and pass them over the cords inside the helmet; then pull down again, cross them under the chin, take them up towards the back of the neck and tie them there.
6. Plate IIIl. This is pratically the same as the second arrangement, but this helmet has five tabs while the other had only three.