Ressei-men

Haruta School

Edo period, circa 1750

Samurai mask made of skillfully forged iron. The lines are pronounced and precise.

The large nostrils over a slightly hooked nose and downward bent mouth depict a non-traditional ressei (fierce) type expression, that is, without the use of exaggerated wrinkles and exposed teeth.

The shape of the ears is typical of the menpo of the Haruta school, to which this menpo is attributed.

There are few other masks with this shape, which was produced in a few examples probably by a single smith during the Edo period. For a nearly identical menpo see IIda K., Katchū-men Momonofu no Kasō (Tōken shunjū shinbunsha: Tōkyō, 1991), Cat. 17.