Ko-Gashira Bajo Jingasa

Ko-Gashira Bajo Jingasa (Lieutenant’s Battle Riding Hat) were round battle hats worn at the end of the Sengoku Jidai through the Edo Era, by mid-level ranked samurai. They were traditionally crafted from wood, leather, nerigawa (leather), then iron and later steel as a defensive helmet. As the armorers began progressively getting better, the Ashigaru grew in popularity on the battlefield and the helmets became more embellished going into the Edo Era. The Ko-Gashira Bajo Jingasa is shaped like low round hill, believed to to cut down wind resistance while on horseback.  Ko-Gashira would often be paid enough to maintain their own horse or would be provided one by the Daimyo.  Their bajo jingasa could be embellished with extra fittings or paintings to denote their rank and status.  They where also known as manju-gasa because of their manju (bun with a bean jam filling) like shape.

Jingasa were traditionally lacquered in black and would typically bear the mon (mark or symbol) of their clan or that of their unit. This allowed soldiers to be easily identified from a distance. Mons were often painted in gold color and 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 through these rings and loop down just below the ears, and a second cord would then be passed through the loops and tie below chin securing the jingasa to the head.