Bajo Jingasa
Gashira Class

Description

Bajo Jingasa (Riding Battle Hat) started to become popular amongst gashira (officers) at the end of the Sengoku Jidai and through the Edo Era. Traditionally a defensive helmet, they were allegedly first crafted from wood, leather, nerigawa, then iron and later steel. They progressively improved as the Ashigaru grew in popularity on the battlefield.  The bajo-gasa jingasa, are shaped like low round hills, believed to to cut down wind resistance while on horseback.  Samurai who owned a horse would typically wear a bajo-gasa.  The where also known as manju-gasa because of their manju (bun with a bean jam filling) like shape.

The Jingasa were traditionally lacquered in black and would typically bear the mon of their clans (mark or crest) or that of their unit. This allowed soldiers to be easily identified from a distance. These mon were often painted in gold color.  The inside of the Jingasa was typically lined with hemp cloth. Bajo Jingasa also featured four metal rings riveted inside. A cord would be tied into these rings and loop down just below the ears, then a second cord would then be passed through the loops and tie below chin securing the jingasa to the head.