A light weight helmet of 6 iron plates covered in sabiji-nuri lacquer with a shoulder and face defense of iron Kiko scales in indigo hemp. A rare find in this condition, it retains the complete liner and has no major damage to the lacquer. Despite some minor losses to the hemp and leather piping, it presents very well, and retains the original buttons for securing the face protection. Helmets like this are well known from images of the Shinsen-gumi, who policed the streets of Kyoto at a time ...click for details