*THIS ITEM WEIGHS 5725 GRAMS WITHOUT PACKAGING, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR SHIPPING DETAILS AND UPGRADES.

This listing is for a splendid art casting okimono of Yamanaka Shikanosuke’s antlered half-moon helmet.  It is made of iron and is quite a solid and impressive piece.  The antlers are detachable (they’ll be detached when shipped) and it comes with a display cushion.  This piece is an okimono, but it could also be used as a sword stand. 

Yamanaka Shikanosuke (1545-1578) was a Japanese samurai during the Sengoku period.  He served the Amago clan of Izumo Province and spent his childhood in poverty.  He was born under a harvest moon and the moon decoration on his helmet served as an amulet for luck.  His father died when he was young, and his mother was left to raise him on her own.  She also cared for other poor children despite her own hardship, and after they grew up they repaid this kindness by cooperating with Shikanosuke during battle.  It is said that Shikanosuke killed his first enemy at the tender age of eight, and from 10 years old he studied the art of mounted archery and military tactics.  When he was 13 years old he took the head of an enemy soldier, thus proving his strength as a warrior.  In 1578 he attempted to get help from the Oda clan during the siege of Kozuki Castle.  Oda Nobunaga refused to send him reinforcements, so Shikanosuke was forced into surrender.  He was given a small castle for his effort, however on the way there he was assassinated by soldiers belonging to the Mori clan.

Japanese okimono figurines are decorative items used for display purposes. Junishi okimono are those commemorating the twelve animals and mythological beasts from the astrological calendar. The Japanese astrological calendar is known as eto, and the twelve creatures are called junishi. The Zodiac’s popularity peaked during the Edo Era, and it was then that junishi okimono production became more widespread. These days, potters and production kilns produce hundreds of junishi each year to welcome the coming New Year. These are often displayed in shops, restaurants, people’s homes, and in tea rooms.

Sizes

Kabuto:  H.42.3cm (16.6”) x 32cm (12.5”) across x 23.5cm (9.2”) from back to front

Pillow:  H.7.5cm (2.9”) x L.39cm (15.3”) x W.30cm (11.8”)

Condition

It’s in very good condition aside from some minor surface wear, the moon has patina, and there are some marks on the back.  The tassels are in decent condition, and the pillow has no problems.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION  

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 11-12 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (10-15 days) available for an additional 13,100 yen. 

**UK , Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 8-12 weeks depending on the destination), an upgrade for EMS Express (10-15 days) available for an additional 11,100 yen. 

**Asia: SAL Sea Mail (approx. 6-8 weeks), an upgrade for EMS Express (7-10 days) available for an additional 5250 yen.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.