AN IRON INCENSE BURNER OF A MELMET WITH JIZAI DRAGON MAEDATE

The articulated shibuichi dragon maedate (forecrest) atop the helmet is a highly distinctive feature of this piece. The dragon is associated with Buddhism, Shinto and a wealth of legends as a harbinger of fertility, bliss and imperial power. The Dragon King of the Sea lives in a palace in the depth of the ocean from which he controls the weather and tides. The dragon is often described to be the most powerful mythical creature. In esoteric Buddhism, the dragon and double-edged sword, entwined together as the kurikara, symbolize the spiritual lasso and sword of the deity Fudo Myoo (Sanskrit, Acala "The Immovable One"), in Japanese especially revered by the samurai.
Myochin Munehisa (?-1886), whose name appears on the lot here, is believed to be one of the Kojima school armorers, a branch of the Myochin in Kaga Province. The Kojima school armorers were renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship in forging high-quality steel, a characteristic that is evident in the intricate design of the helmet.
For an iron articulated dragon work by Myochin Kiyoharu in the collection of the British Museum, see Harada Kazutoshi, ed., Jizai Okimono / Articulated Iron Figures of Animals, Rokusho 11, special edition (2010), no. 6.