Full face SAMURAI armor MASK called Menpō of the Sômen type Signed Narishige Japan, Edo period

FULL MASK of SAMURAI armor called Menpō of the Sômen type
Signed Narishige
Japan, Edo period (1603-1868)
Iron, lacquer, horsehair and fabric
H.: 35; W.: 28 cm
In its original transport box

The Sômen are similar to portrait masks, covering the entire face of the samurai in order to ensure both protection and intimidation of the enemy. Indeed, the expression features are deliberately accentuated to bring intensity to the expression of the face.
This Sômen Ressei mask is made of tripartite iron, with attached ears and an openwork mouth topped with a horsehair moustache. The chin section features an ase nagashi no ana that allowed for ventilation and the evacuation of liquids such as sweat, and the inside of the mask is entirely lacquered red, in order to avoid any irritation of the warrior's skin. It also features a gorget with two lacquered blades and a silk cloth protecting the head. While the gorget is dated to the end of the Edo period, the mask itself was made in the middle of the Edo period - that is, the end of the 17th or the beginning of the 18th century.

The wooden carrying box is painted in red with the mon "Maruni-mitsubaaoi" representing a circle centered with three asaret leaves with distinct stems: the symbol of the Tokugawa clan.

Since mempō are integral parts of Japanese samurai armor, this somen was probably the weapon mask of a samurai of the Tokugawa family.

Kosyu Tokubetsu Kicho Siryo certificate, Japanese Society for the Research and Preservation of Japanese Helmets and Armor.

On base.

Bibliography:
Somen-type facial protections are preserved in major institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Barbier-Mueller collections.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref.LP5393

Ref: 82M7Q29XGK