Ressei menpō

Samurai mask with fierce expression

Myōchin school, mid Edo period (1615-1867)

A russet iron embossed mask of me no shita men (half face) type.

The mask has a high grade embossed surface. The ornamental wrinkles on the cheeks are quite peculiar and can be linked directly to some Mychin armor smiths. The menpo's quality can also be noticed in the minor details of the anchoring posts (odayori-kugi).