Before entering the fascinating world of menpō, the masks of samurai armor, it is essential to understand their importance and function within the armor of Japanese warriors. The term "menpō" refers to the face protection used in samurai armor, made primarily of iron but occasionally also of leather (nerikawa). This protective element, introduced around the 14th century, has a double function: to protect the fighter's face and to allow proper attachment of the kabuto, the helmet, by means of hooks and pins, as well as to provide support for the throat protection, called tare or yodare-kake.
Now let us examine the three main types of menpō and their distinctive features:
The decorations of menpō are extremely varied and rich in symbolic meaning. Masks are often adorned with terrible sneers, grimaces, long mustaches made from horsehair and teeth, aiming to make the samurai's armor more intimidating. This decorative style, except for hanbō which rarely featured human expressions, was inspired by the nō theater tradition practiced by the great generals of the Sengoku Jidai, such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Among the most common types of decorations, we can identify:
In conclusion, menpō were not just simple face protectors, but true works of art that reflected Japanese culture, tradition, and mythology, as well as playing a key role in the psychology of warfare, intimidating enemies with their menacing and imposing presence.
Copyright © 2016 - giuseppe piva - VAT: 05104180962