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Helmets and Neck Guards

Helmetoriginal: 頭盔 (Tóukuī). This is the standard Ming Dynasty term for a combat helmet. By this period, helmets were typically constructed from several iron plates riveted together or forged from a single piece of steel, often topped with a decorative spire or "finial."

Neck Guardoriginal: 頓項 (Dùnxiàng). Often referred to in Western circles as an "aventail" or "camail," this is the protective skirt attached to the base of the helmet. In the Ming military, these were frequently made of "brigandine"—layers of sturdy fabric with iron plates riveted to the inside, visible only by the rows of metal studs on the exterior.

The illustration provided in this section of the Treatise on Armament Technologyoriginal: 武備志 (Wǔbèi Zhì). Compiled by the scholar-official Mao Yuanyi, this work is the most comprehensive military encyclopedia in Chinese history. depicts the primary headgear for the Ming soldier.

The HelmetTóukuī serves as the primary defense for the skull, while the Neck GuardDùnxiàng provides flexible protection for the wearer’s throat, ears, and the back of the neck. This specific design features a tall central finial, which was used to display plumes or tassels that could signify a soldier's rank or unit affiliation on a crowded and smoky battlefield. The Neck Guard is divided into sections, allowing it to rest comfortably on the shoulders without hindering the soldier's ability to turn their head or look upward during the heat of combat.

These Equipmentoriginal: 器械 (Qìxiè). A broad term referring to weapons, armor, and tools of war. pieces were essential components of the Military Supply Sectionoriginal: 軍資乘 (Jūnzīchéng). The division of the encyclopedia concerned with the logistics, procurement, and specifications of army materiel., ensuring that every frontline soldier was equipped with standardized, effective protection against both projectile and melee attacks.