Ressei Menpo

Description

The Ressei Menpo (or me no shita men) is a mengu (face armor) worn by samurai warrior which featured a ressei (fierce) face.  This menpo is a direct Gendai reproduction of an original, which features a kuchi hige (mustache), shiwa (facial wrinkles), odayori ore kugi (posts), hana (detachable nose guard) and tare (throat guard).

History: The menpo was traditionally used not only to protect the face in battle, but to help hold the cords of the kabuto (helmet) to the warrior’s head, while providing protection from the shinobi-no-o (kabuto rope).  The shinobi–no-o would typically tie around the ore kugi (L shaped post), located on the menpo cheeks and then down under the chin.  The menpo could have a cord, which tied over the crown of the warriors head, and/or could be tied to the shinobi-no-o, to be secured to the samurai warrior’s face.

Our menpo, like all of our armor, are full sized and functional. It can fit your existing kabuto or looks great displayed by itself with one of our Menpo Display Stands, worn for decoration, at a re-enactment or as part of a costume.

Features: Traditional design.

• Full sized and functional.
• Mustache is goat or yak hair (depending on mustache style requested).  
• Various nose, tare, paint, cotton lace and mustache options available.
• Gashira quality.  

Crafted by the Iron Mountain Armory at the time of your order, so please allow 1 to 2 weeks for crafting time.

References:  “The Samurai Armour Glossary” by Ian Bottomley & David Thatcher  /  “The Watanabe Art Museum Samurai Armour Collection Volume 1: Kabuto & Mengu” By Trevor Absolon

Additional information