It's a helmet." "But it's more like a mask in front," said Knuckleball, straightening his glasses to see better. His baseball cap was off, and his hair was a sight. "And an ugly one at that. Looks like a wild man." "You should see yourself, Knuckler," said Annie. "This guy looks elegant in comparison." "It is very like the helmets of our ancient samurai" said Kiyoshi-chan's father. "Each warrior had his helmet made uniquely for himself, to terrify the enemy. The thing that you saw, whatever it was, was dressed and armed like an ancient Japanese warrior." Annie and Knuckleball turned the object over in every direction, examining it inside and out. They were seated on the tatami of Kiyoshi-chan's home, around a low table, huddled in blankets. Kiyoshi-chan and his little sister Izumi-chan were also in the room, listening with puzzled smiles to the odd Japanese of these strange children. Kiyoshi-chan's mother came bustling in regularly, setting the table for breakfast. "I like the dragon on top," said Knuckleball.
