Description

A Mounted Antique Japanese jingasa, samurai’s hat. Lacquered a deep brown color with a pattern of armor pieces cross stitched together and decorated with gold double agehonocho (swallowtail butterfly) crest of the Taira clan (also called Heike clan). The underside is lacquered red and it comes with a custom metal stand.

The Taira (or Heike) samurai clan of Hitachi Provence and Ise Provence was one of 4 of the most influential families in Japanese politics during the Heian, Kamakura and Muromachi periods. Their rival was the Minamoto clan who they fought against and won in 1161 only to be annihilated when they fought again in 1185. The surviving Heike nobles either died fighting or committed suicide by jumping into the sea, thus regaining their honor. Legend states that the souls of these brave samurai became butterflies. The parent house of the Taira (Heike) clan was the Imperial House of Japan.

Age: Edo Period (1603-1867)

Dimensions: 17″ wide x 7 1/2″ high (17″ high including stand)