Fukushima Masanori (1561–1624) was a Sengoku-period samurai and daimyō who served Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He is best known as one of the famous Seven Spears of Shizugatake.
【Anniversary of the Death of Fukushima Masanori】
July 13, Keichō 20 (August 7, 1615)
When people think of Fukushima Masanori, many picture the striking black-lacquered peach-shaped helmet with large water buffalo horn crests, the same helmet shown in my illustration.
For me as well, this extraordinary kawarikabuto (unusual samurai helmet) is the image that immediately comes to mind.
Surprisingly, however, this helmet did not originally belong to Fukushima Masanori. It was once owned by Kuroda Nagamasa, whose family used the water buffalo horn as its symbol.
According to historical tradition, Fukushima Masanori and Kuroda Nagamasa once had a serious dispute. After they reconciled, they exchanged their helmets as a symbol of their renewed friendship.
Masanori gave his Silver-Leaf Ichinotani Helmet to Nagamasa, and in return received Nagamasa's famous Water Buffalo Horn Helmet.
Even more interestingly, the Silver-Leaf Ichinotani Helmet had not originally belonged to Masanori either. It is said to have once been owned by the brilliant military strategist Takenaka Hanbei.
So how did that famous helmet come into Fukushima Masanori's possession?
Well... that's a story for another day. 😊
KAZNO's Samurai Chronicle — July 13
Today, I introduced Fukushima Masanori in remembrance of the anniversary of his death.