AN IRON COLLAR, ivith a metal bib for additional protection, helped guard its wearer against decapitation.
A COTTON SKULLCAP, which helped to cushion the weight of the helmet, is tied over the warrior's head.
In the man-to-man combat that characterized Japanese battles, samurai sometimes took as trophies the heads of their more important opponents. These they severed with the smaller of their two swords, carried especially for that purpose. This grisly custom prompted soldiers to wear particularly sturdy head-and-neck armor in order to avoid decapitation.
In addition to a helmet of riveted iron, warriors used special neck protectors and a metal face mask.
The mask was usually shaped into a ferocious-looking countenance designed to intimidate the enemy. (Even before donning his mask, the samurai at the right has acquired an increasingly terrifying scowl.)
Despite their fierce aspect, warriors observed a strict set of courtesies before tangling with an adversary. Each combatant would announce his name, ancestry and previous deeds of heroism. When the fight was over, a victorious samurai would often compliment his defeated opponent on his bravery before taking his head. One courtesy extended past death itself; before a battle, a samurai burned incense in his helmet so that, if he were decapitated, his head would still smell sweet.
A GLOWERING MASK, made of lacquered iron and strong enough to blunt a spear point, covered the face.
IRON-RIB PROTECTION for the head came from the riveted metal strips of this helmet. The neck fringe of stitched lamellae turns back at the side to reveal the warrior's family crest.
A VISORED HELMET, with an armored fringe that guarded the back of the neck, completed the samurai's costume.
World History
