November 2, 2009

The Coolest Thing From the Edo Period You'll Ever See

by Choire posted @10:40 AM

Remember how we so kindly informed you that you must go see the 'Art of the Samurai' exhibition at the Met, because it is the best show on earth, and because we are so helpful? Now I have proof!

GO VAJRA POWERS GOThe Met sent this image from the show over, and, YES, RIGHT? You see what I am saying. SOMEONE ONCE WORE THIS ON HIS HEAD and was like, "FEAR ME." Our modern times should be so lucky.

Black-lacquered kabuto (helmet) with the arm of a guardian deity wielding a Vajra
Edo period, 17th century
Iron, lacquer, wood, and papier-mâché
H. of outer bowl, 43.5 cm (17â…› in.)
Yasukuni-jinja Shrine, Tokyo

 
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19 Comments / Post a new comment

  1. Baboleen [#1430]

    Hmmm. When is my next staff meeting?

  2. Slava [#216]

    Umm… I'm pretty sure this is a baker's helmet. Vajra is the thing they used to whip up the cream.

  3. ContainsHotLiquid [#559]

    "SOMEONE ONCE WORE THIS ON HIS HEAD and was like, "FEAR ME."

    Yes, but chances are he was, like, 4'8".

  4. Peteykins [#1916]

    Does it come in other colors? I'd like the Strawberry Heather fist with Seafoam eggbeater thingies, please.

  5. elecampane [#1877]

    You say vajra, I say dorje, let's call the whole thing off.

  6. The Epicurean Dealmaker [#878]

    Nice, but the true connoisseur would have purchased this lovely helmet with a catfish tail on top.

    http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=salesummary&intObjectID=5253817&sid=0a41fbc6-9768-4bcc-adc5-85526f09c3f2

    Between a baker and a catfish, my money would be on the fish.

  7. wantonheretic [#54]

    not to be crude, but this looks like a gigantic butt plug. which is not to say that butt plugs can't be beautiful.

  8. SarahHeartburn [#70]

    To be worn with over-the-knee boots.

  9. cherrispryte [#444]

    papier-mâché!?! Really?

  10. Hobbesian [#255]

    Also, beware the furrowed brow!

  11. CalistaB [#2112]

    OK, I went to see this show on Friday BECAUSE YOU TOLD ME TO, and who was there looking at that very egg-beater-cream-whipper-butt-plug helmet but ELIOT SPITZER.

    Thanks?

  12. Squidman [#1188]

    It looks like a prop from Robert Mapplethorpe's appearance on "The French Chef"!

  13. TerseNursePornstein [#58]

    Hey Met operative, can we get a pic of the awl on permanent display over in that back corner? Thanks!

 

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