Shugetsu dolls are also ordered by overseas customers and companies.
We will introduce examples of transactions with overseas companies and customers.
Please use our contact form to contact us for further information.
– Kabuto Presented to a Count in Vienna, Austria
I created a kabuto (samurai helmet) to be sent to Vienna, Austria.
It was commissioned as a gift for a count in Vienna by a client traveling there on business.
While crafting it, I pictured the count’s refined demeanor in my mind.
Although designed to fit inside a suitcase, I made no compromises in its construction.
The size, known as Go-gō (No. 5), is small enough for the helmet bowl to rest in one’s palm, yet it is made from individually joined iron plates using traditional techniques.
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At the top sits the hachiman-za, beautifully gilded, its brilliance enhanced by the contrast with the glossy black helmet bowl.
Inside, the lining features a navy fabric adorned with a traditional kozakura (small cherry blossom) pattern—an auspicious design symbolizing good fortune, prosperity, and abundance.
At Shugetsu, we have long cherished this “spirit of craftsmanship,” placing meaning and beauty even in parts unseen.
The kozane (small armor plates) are finely detailed, with ridges less than five millimeters apart.
Despite its small size, the helmet features a proper three-tiered shikoro (neck guard) laced in navy blue, accented with red trimming for balance and strength.
When the delicate lacing stretches evenly and naturally, it reveals a quiet, refined beauty.
The mabisashi (visor) is crafted from gold, finely engraved, and bordered with metal edging.
The kuwagata (crest horns) and their base are made of brass and gilded, shaped boldly to give the piece a strong presence worthy of Vienna despite its compact form.
The shinobi-o (cord) is tied in multicolored agemaki knots, and the fukusa (cloth) features the noble hue of kodai-murasaki (ancient purple).
Vienna is a city steeped in tradition and beauty.
With quiet dignity and pride befitting a Japanese craftsman, I created this helmet as an embodiment of Japanese spirit and artistry.
– Arrival at the Count’s Residence, Altstätten Castle, Vienna, Austria
The kabuto (samurai helmet) I created has safely completed its long journey and arrived at Altstätten Castle in Vienna, Austria.
It was successfully presented to the count, who was truly delighted to receive it.
Inside the castle, one passes through the private quarters and into corridors and spiral staircases lined with portraits of historical figures — Emperor Franz Joseph, Emperor Franz I, Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, and members of the Habsburg family.
After walking through several salons, one reaches the grandest room, known as the “Red Salon.”
There, on the display shelf, stood the helmet of Date Masamune, which I had presented the previous year.
The count had shown great interest in that piece, even researching the samurai himself.
Now, beside it, the new kabuto has been placed — and I was told that the count was once again deeply pleased with this year’s gift.
– To the United Kingdom — Royal Ascot
A kabuto (samurai helmet) created at our workshop has made its way to the prestigious Royal Ascot in England.
Royal Ascot is a historic horse racing event hosted annually by the British Royal Family during the third week of June.
Established in 1711 by Queen Anne, it has long been a symbol of British tradition and is regarded as one of the highlights of the summer social season. Even today, His Majesty the King attends the event, arriving from Windsor Castle by carriage—a spectacle admired around the world.
Through Ms. Sakura Aoyama, a scholar of aristocratic culture, I had the honor of having one of my kabuto presented at this distinguished occasion.
The kabuto was designed to be compact enough to fit in a suitcase, with a refined and understated appearance.
It features a high-quality akoda-nari style bowl, black kozane (armor plates), and navy and red lacing inspired subtly by the Union Jack.
The fukikaeshi (turnbacks) are adorned with gold fittings of butterflies and peonies, while the kuwagata crest bears a carved wooden dragon head finished in gold leaf.
The shinobi-o (cord) is braided in black and red, and the fukusa (cloth) is made in a noble shade of ancient purple.
Ms. Aoyama kindly shared that, as she was assembling the helmet, a gentleman nearby commented with curiosity, saying, “That’s beautiful.”
Hearing this brought me great joy.
– Lexus North America Headquarters
This is an order for a custom-made helmet for a Lexus model.
For several years now, we have received orders through Dentsu and have been producing them.
The process started with an inquiry: “I would like to request the production of a helmet.Before that, I would like to come to the workshop and have a discussion.”
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The person in charge saw your blog and contacted us.
The request was for a helmet to be worn by a high-level customer at the Lexus headquarters in North America, and they wanted an authentic helmet.
We discuss in detail the color of the small bills, the color of the wire, the color of the string, and the color of the metal fittings.
In order to bring out the Japanese feel, the helmet is basically a dragon’s head, so we requested that it be included.
This dragon head is a traditional dragon head carved out of wood, stamped with gold leaf, and holding a crystal ball in its hand.
When I said, “Shall I put the Lexus logo on it?” He said, “That’s interesting.However, our customers want traditional Japanese helmets.”
The Kabuto-bachi is a full-fledged Kabuto-bachi made of 18 pieces of iron that are carefully tied together one by one and decorated with pins called stars planted throughout.
There are silver parts on the front and back. This is called two-sided white. The arrow-like thing that extends from top to bottom is called Shinodare.
The tip of the helmet above the head is hachimanza, which is said to be the place where the gods dwell. This is also made of metal and has a sense of weight.
The string with knots on both sides is a Musou knot, and the color is traditional rust vermilion (not yellow).
The small bills (kozane) are small gold bills, and the yellow ones are red and white, which is typical of Japan.
In hopes of making it more expensive, we created a custom-made model for Lexus in North America that featured brass, pure gold plating, and gold leaf stamping in various parts.
– Earl of Caernarfon, England
The Earl of Carnarvon family has been in the family for generations since 1793 and is known for funding the excavation of the royal tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in ancient Egypt.
The Earl of Caernarfon’s home is Highclere Castle in Hampshire, which was built in the 17th century and was used for filming the TV drama Downton Abbey.
This time, I made this because I wanted to see the real thing of Japan’s historical traditional culture (traditional crafts).
– Archduke Marx Habsburg-Lothringen in Salzburg, Austria
The helmet of Tokugawa Ieyasu crossed the sea to reach the Grand Duke of Marx-Habsburg-Lothringen in Salzburg.
The Grand Duke of Marx-Habsburg-Lothringen lives in Kaiservilla, where See and Franz-Joseph met and remained their beloved summer residence.
The castle is not only luxurious and beautiful, but it is also a place where these two human beings are still alive, including Elisabeth’s study and the secret passageway that Franz-Joseph took to the dining room.
The family lives here, but part of the castle is open to the citizens, including a music school for children and concerts.
The Grand Duke is a very intelligent person who is very interested not only in the history of his family, but also in British and other royal families, and Japanese culture, so I made this and gave it to him.
– Mr. K in Africa
Mr. K’s gorgeous seven-tiered 15 dolls went to Africa.
I received a thank you letter from Mr. K, so I would like to introduce it to you.
After a long journey from Japan, the Hina dolls and I arrived safely in Africa.
I retrieved the hina doll and suitcase from the conveyor belt, carefully placed them on a cart, and headed to the car that would pick me up.
It’s that time. A box of Hina dolls fell from the cart my father-in-law was carrying and crashed to the ground. Up until now, everyone has carried it carefully and carefully, but it’s just one step away…
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“The Hina doll is firmly fixed.”
These words alone supported my heart.
The Hina dolls have arrived at my home.
Then, I considered where to display it.
There are many people coming and going in this house, including servants.
If you display the doll in an unlocked living room, accessories for the doll may get lost, or small children may break the doll.
This year, I decided to display it in the room next to the living room where I keep my luggage.
When I opened the doll box, I found that the dolls were securely fixed and did not move, and the hina dolls were unharmed and had beautiful, elegant faces.
Once the new house is completed, I will display it in a better place and have the Japanese people living there look at it, feel nostalgic for Japan, and feel energized again. I hope that the local people can learn about the wonders of Japan through the dolls.
Thank you everyone.
– Mr. B in New York State, USA
Mr. B, who lives in New York State, USA, ordered the armor worn by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
We also have a carp streamer named Kazamai, which is a carp streamer.
– Mr. M in Toronto, Canada
Mr. M, who lives in Toronto, Canada, ordered a beautiful Tokugawa Ieyasu helmet decoration.
