Ensui Jingasa
(Conical Hat)

Description

Ensui Jingasa (Conical Battle Hat) started to become popular amongst Ashigaru at the end of the Sengoku Jidai through the late Edo Era. Traditionally a defensive helmet, they were allegedly first crafted from wood, leather, nerigawa, then iron and later steel. They progressively began getting better as the Ashigaru grew in popularity on the battlefield. Always conical in shape, the purpose of the Jingasa is to deflect the blows of weapons, deflecting out and away from the ashigaru wearing it.

The Ensui Jingasa were traditionally lacquered in black and would typically bear the mon of their clans (mark or crest) or that of their unit. This helped 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. They also featured four metal rings riveted inside, and a cord would be tied into these rings and loop down just below the ears. A second cord would then be passed through the loops and tie below chin securing the jingasa to the head.