https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2013-13087-y
Regular Article
Revealing the secrets of composite helmets of ancient Japanese tradition
1
Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
2
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
3
Wallace Collection, W1U 3BN, London, UK
4
Museo Stibbert, 50100, Firenze, Italy
5
Science and Technology Facility Council, ISIS Neutron Source, OX11 0QX, Didcot, UK
6
Paul Scherrer Institut, SINQ Neutron Source, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
* e-mail: floriana.salvemini@fi.isc.cnr.it
Received:
28
February
2013
Revised:
28
May
2013
Accepted:
15
July
2013
Published online:
12
August
2013
We present novel results from a non-invasive examination of two kabuto (helmets), made in Japan in the 17th century. Neutron-imaging experiments (radiography and tomography), carried out at the ICON and NEUTRA beamlines, operating at the neutron source SINQ (CH), have allowed to determine the inner metal structure and manufacturing techniques of these beautiful examples of past technology, revealing some otherwise invisible details.
© Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2013