Muromachi Kabuto Signed Haruta Mitsusada

SCHOOL: Haruta

REGION: Nara

SIGNATURE: Haruta Mitsusada

STYLE: 12 plate akoda nari kabuto (with maedate and hampo included)

ERA: Muromachi

PROVENANCE: Koshu Tokubetsu papers with attribution to Haruta Mitsusada and Muromachi period.


This is a very good example of an ubu akoda nari hachi from the workshop of Haruta Mitsusada. Mitsusada was known as a master of the 12 plate akoda. In general the akoda nari kabuto is extremely difficult to manufacture. Kabuto with 12 or fewer plates requires an extra skilled and experienced armor smith. Many of the original Muromachi period akoda nari kabuto that are available for sale have had their original koshi maki removed or their mabizashi replaced, and most commonly have had their urushi removed and replaced in the Edo period or just left russet. This kabuto has its original mabizashi (visor), original koshimaki (which is original but was turned down in the Momoyama period), and its original urushi which has aged to a very nice natural dark brown sengoku urushi color. The shikoro of this kabuto was likely added sometime in the Momoyama era. The shape of this kabuto is very classic, having a very bulbous “pumpkin shape” to it. The uchidashi and urushi gives each plate a very full form making this an extremely well balanced and breathtaking work of art from the Muromachi period. Though the shikoro was added later, it is a rather early example of Kiritsuke kozane with thick protruding urushi and very sharply cut kozane tops with large holes for (leather) lacing. This particular type of production gives it a very authentic (to hon kozane) look, which was lost in later eras. The inside back plate is signed with proper period red lacquer signature of Haruta Mitsu Sada. This is correct for Haruta smiths. It is known that most haruta pieces did not have cut signatures into the metal (their metal was thin and well forged, cutting was difficult and weakened the steel). Most Haruta works had lacquer signatures, which is why many of the extant akodas you see have no remaining signatures if they even had one originally. This kabuto has its original signature.

This kabuto comes with a very old maedate that is made of laminated paper, wood and leather. It is an original rare, period piece that matches the period and style of this helmet very well.

Also included is an early well matching hampo with kiritsuke kozane and leather lacing that matches the kabuto. There is an old style large sweat hole at the base. It is possible that this set is original and matching. It is papered as a set.

It is no doubt that because of this helmet’s near perfect original period qualities and rarity, it achieved the second highest rating by the armor society.

Price on Request