I believe it is becoming clearer to each of us, as we spend more and more time at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art’s current exhibition Art of Armor, that the Japanese samurai warrior-class was willing to spend additional funds and time on the design and creation of their individualized armor. The samurai chose individuality instead of manufactured and formulated design; they chose individualism in lieu of the Western world’s preference for templates and standardization; they chose non-conformity and eccentricity over obedience to following the convention of the past. These choices by the samurai warrior-class strengthened their character, their confidence, and enabled them to emulate symbolically the fierceness/sharp eyes/determination/speed of flight of a variety of Nature’s animals.
What are your thoughts on the mid-Edo period Helmet of the Hineno type with the giant hawk feather?
Art of Armor 
My thoughts on the mid-Edo period Helmet is that you can’t miss the person who is wearing the helmet into battle because of the giant hawk feather. It is a double edge sword first off a friend will not attack you if the battle is very heavily fought. However, the giant hawk feather seems to give your position in battle away and be an easy target against the enemy. I really like the colors of the helmet using black and gold throughout the piece. I would prefer a small version of the giant hawk feather but, overall, the concept is good.
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The individuality definitely shows in this helmet design as well as its eccentricity. This piece definitely feels as though there is great purpose for easy identification in gun fire smoke and other weather patterns but with that also it seems like a giant target. If this warrior was on your team then there is no problem in identification and knowing where they are but if they were on the side of the people you’re attacking you will know exactly where to aim. It seems as though this feather might be a bit too large and would have been better suited if it was of smaller size so as to not call so much attention.
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This unique and intricate design of this mid-edo period helmet was to identify a certain hierarchy in their clan. It seems that the feather seems to be a bit unnecessary for battle, cause it would certainly draw attention of their enemy. Design wise not my favorite piece, the feather and crest are extremely large seems like it’d be heavy to wear, the color scheme is great the black and gold work well and really bring this piece some light.
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I definitely feel like this helmet is one of a kind. I have never seen anything like it before. This goes back to the fact that each piece was handcrafted by an artisan – so the samurai got something unique to them. It is so intriguing because its so… different. The proportions seem very off and imbalanced, but that brings a level of curiosity to the piece. It makes me want to examine it further. I think that it is effective as an attention-getting piece, as well as a distinguishing piece. There would be no mistaking that helmet on the battlefield 🙂
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As Im sure everyone has caught on to, Im a bit extra. As such I tend to enjoy the more extra things in life if only for their unapologetic will to exist outside of the norm. This helmet is no different. From the usage of gold to the quite literal over the top feather this helmet is made to stand out. Sure it might have the functionality of being seen in the middle of the battle field, but its in the way that it is done. The feather is very reminiscent of a hawks feather which already has a very strong affiliation with being a predatory bird. The regal imagery and the proud aggressiveness is beautiful to witness in all its ostentatious glory. No obviously that means that other people could have spotted him from a mile away but to have that confidence and say…yup come at me bro. I think is amazing. I also like the contrast in color used, I learned that the Japanese created the study of Notan, that being of contrast black and white and I see this being similar in contrast relationship but with gold.
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