Rabbit-Ear Helmet (兎耳形兜) - Edo period - Main Museum Collection (Ii Family Heritage Materials)
This unusual kawari kabuto (変わり兜), or "eccentric helmet", features a bowl shaped like a human head, with rabbit ears projecting from either side and a curled ornament mounted on the crown. Helmets depicting deities, animals, plants, or everyday objects are collectively known as kawari kabuto.
Such distinctive designs became popular during the Sengoku period and continued into the Edo period. Rabbit-ear helmets were among the many imaginative forms created by armourers. The reasons for their design remain a matter of debate. They may have been intended to intimidate opponents on the battlefield, make the wearer more easily recognisable, or draw attention to his achievements in combat.
