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Helmet and Neck Guard

Helmetoriginal: 頭鍪 (Tóumóu). This term refers to the rigid shell or bowl of the headgear. In the Ming Dynasty, these were typically constructed from forged iron plates or hardened leather to withstand the impact of maces, arrows, and blades.
Neck Guardoriginal: 頓項 (Dùnxiàng). Literally meaning "arranged around the neck," this is a flexible curtain of protective material—often brigandine or lamellar—that hangs from the helmet to shield the wearer’s throat, nape, and shoulders.

The woodcut illustration on this page shows a standard military helmet of the late Ming period. It features a central spire designed to hold a decorative plume and a segmented neck guard. This design was highly practical; the "flaps" of the neck guard could be tied under the chin for full protection or left loose for better ventilation and movement during travel.

The Treatise on Armament Technologyoriginal: 武備志 (Wǔbèi Zhì). This massive 240-volume encyclopedia, compiled by Mao Yuanyi in 1621, serves as a definitive record of Ming military science. emphasizes that the HelmetTóumóu and Neck GuardDùnxiàng are inseparable components of a soldier's Armororiginal: 盔甲 (Kuījiǎ)..

While the helmet protects the skull from direct vertical strikes, the neck guard is essential for defending against the "hooking" and "slashing" motions common in spear and saber combat. By covering the gap between the head and the torso armor, it secures one of the most vulnerable points on the human body. These pieces were often lacquered to prevent rust and decorated to signify the rank of the officer or the unit of the soldier.