{"product_id":"rare-japanese-edo-period-c1700s-samurai-hachiwari-kabutowari-helmet-breaker-weapon-ls-006","title":"Rare Japanese Edo Period c1700's Samurai Hachiwari Kabutowari “Helmet Breaker” Weapon Jutte  LS#006","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP194830290 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"true\" data-scheme-color=\"@1B1C1D,,\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP194830290 BCX0\"\u003eRare Japanese EDO Era\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP194830290 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"true\" data-scheme-color=\"@1B1C1D,,\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP194830290 BCX0\"\u003eSamurai\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SpellingErrorZoomed SCXP194830290 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"true\" data-scheme-color=\"@1B1C1D,,\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXP194830290 BCX0\"\u003eHachiwari\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP194830290 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"true\" data-scheme-color=\"@1B1C1D,,\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP194830290 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP194830290 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"true\" data-scheme-color=\"@1B1C1D,,\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP194830290 BCX0\"\u003eHelmet Breaker Hand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP194830290 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"true\" data-scheme-color=\"@1B1C1D,,\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP194830290 BCX0\"\u003eForged\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"194\" data-start=\"97\"\u003eHachiwari (Kabutowari) – “Helmet Breaker”\u003cbr data-end=\"145\" data-start=\"142\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"169\" data-start=\"145\"\u003eEdo Period (1603–1868)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"172\" data-start=\"169\"\u003eIron, lacquered wood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"623\" data-start=\"196\"\u003eA samurai sidearm designed for prying armor plates, hooking cords, and controlling an opponent’s sword, rather than splitting helmets as legend suggests. This example has a 12-inch signed and dated blade in finely crafted black-lacquered mounts, its scabbard shape echoing 18th-century style. At 21 inches overall, it is larger than most surviving examples, combining martial practicality with refined craftsmanship. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-ccp-props='{\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335559683\":0,\"335559685\":0,\"335559731\":0,\"335559737\":0,\"335562764\":2,\"335562765\":0.9,\"335562766\":4,\"335562767\":10,\"335562768\":4,\"335562769\":0}' lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"Paragraph SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBox SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003eOverall Condition Is Very Good. This \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBox SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SpellingErrorZoomed SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003eHachiwari\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SpellingErrorZoomed SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003eKabutowari\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e, Known As Helmet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBox SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003eBreaker Is An Above Average Example. It Is\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBox SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003eWell Made And Is Both Signed And Dated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBox SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003eThe Wooden Mounts Are Well Made And\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBox SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003eLacquered In Black. The Scabbard Shape And\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBox SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003eDesign Are Reminiscent Of 18th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBox SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003eStyling. Full Length 21 Inch Blade Length 12\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBox SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\" data-contrast=\"none\" data-usefontface=\"false\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003eInches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"EOP SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-ccp-props='{\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335559683\":0,\"335559685\":0,\"335559731\":0,\"335559737\":0,\"335562764\":2,\"335562765\":0.9,\"335562766\":4,\"335562767\":10,\"335562768\":4,\"335562769\":0}' lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"Paragraph SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-ccp-props='{\"335551550\":1,\"335551620\":1,\"335559683\":0,\"335559685\":0,\"335559731\":0,\"335559737\":0,\"335562764\":2,\"335562765\":0.9,\"335562766\":4,\"335562767\":10,\"335562768\":4,\"335562769\":0}' lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"Paragraph SCXP54052974 BCX0\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect — here’s a draft of a \u003cstrong\u003ehistorical note\u003c\/strong\u003e you can attach directly to your catalog entry for the jitte. I’ve blended museum-style tone with specific references to similar traditions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistorical Note on Decorative Inscriptions in Jitte\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the Edo period (1603–1868), the \u003cstrong\u003ejitte (十手)\u003c\/strong\u003e served both as a practical tool of law enforcement and a potent badge of office for samurai constables (\u003cem\u003edōshin\u003c\/em\u003e). While most examples were plain iron intended for daily duty, a subset were elaborately decorated to reflect the prestige of their bearers. These ceremonial or high-status jitte often carried \u003cstrong\u003einscriptions imitating the mei of famous swordsmiths\u003c\/strong\u003e, borrowing the gravitas of sword traditions for a non-bladed weapon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral documented pieces in Japanese museum collections—such as those in the \u003cstrong\u003eTokyo National Museum\u003c\/strong\u003e and regional police history archives—bear inscriptions not of their actual makers, but of legendary smiths or eras. For example, constables’ jitte have been found invoking the names of \u003cem\u003eMasamune\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eKanemitsu\u003c\/em\u003e, or referencing auspicious Buddhist and Confucian phrases such as \u003cstrong\u003e“天下泰平” (Peace under Heaven)\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003e“忠義守護之鐵” (Iron that Protects Loyalty and Justice)\u003c\/strong\u003e. These were not literal signatures but \u003cstrong\u003eflowery, honorific statements\u003c\/strong\u003e, designed to elevate the symbolic authority of the bearer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis jitte’s inscription—naming \u003cem\u003eOsafune Kanemitsu\u003c\/em\u003e and citing the Genkō era (1331)—belongs firmly to this tradition. Rather than a functional smith’s mei, it represents an \u003cstrong\u003ehonorific dedication\u003c\/strong\u003e, linking Edo-period constabulary authority to the revered legacy of medieval swordcraft. In this sense, such inscriptions reveal how Edo officials drew on Japan’s warrior past to dignify the instruments of their new role as keepers of civil order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Consignment","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50489228656957,"sku":"25C*LS006","price":1350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/2348\/3709\/files\/ScreenShot2025-07-12at1.10.10PM.png?v=1752351100","url":"https:\/\/shogunsgallery.com\/products\/rare-japanese-edo-period-c1700s-samurai-hachiwari-kabutowari-helmet-breaker-weapon-ls-006","provider":"Shogun's Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}