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, also called or , are various types of facial armour that were worn by the
Robinson, H. R. United States: Dover Publications. 2013 pp. 194 It is depicted as being worn with or without a helmet by both mounted warriors and foot retainers. By the 14th century, the hōate appears, and according to Tom Conlan, this development is behind decreased facial wound statistics. However, others, such as Yamagishi Sumio, believe that the hōate was not widespread at that time, as it—and the later menpō—restricted the vision of the wearer. Hōate are also portrayed in art and literature of the period, most notably the Aki no yo no Nagamonogatari scroll and Taiheiki. The menpō (half-mask with detachable nosepiece) and the sōmen (full face mask) are believed to have been introduced around the mid to late 15th century, and the hanbō (chinguard) in the second half of the 16th century.
File:Somen, Japanese (samurai) full facial armour 1.jpg
File:MAP Expo Somen Muneakira 02 01 2012.jpg
File:MAP Expo Somen Edo 01 01 2012.jpg
File:MAP Expo Somen 02 01 2012.jpg
File:Menpo 2.JPG
File:Antique Japanese (samurai) menpo 2.jpg
File:Menpo 3.JPG
File:Menpo 6.JPG
File:Japanese neck guard SF Asian Art Museum.JPG
File:Kusari menpo.JPG
File:Menpo hanpo.JPG
File:Happuri.JPG
File:Happuri 1.JPG
File:Odome.JPG, ''Odome'', an attachment post for securing the chin strap of a kabuto (helmet).
File:Ori-kugi.JPG, ''Ori-kugi'', an attachment hook for securing the chin strap of a kabuto (helmet).
File:Ase nagashi no ana (menpo drain hole).JPG, ''Ase nagashi no ana'', a drain hole (or tube) for perspiration located under the chin of various mengu.
File:Yodare-kake 3.JPG, Yodare-kake, throat guard on various mengu.
Samurai Arms and ArmorAnthony Bryant's online Japanese armour manual
{{Japanese (samurai) weapons, armour and equipment Medieval helmets Samurai armour Masks in Asia Military masks
, also called or , are various types of facial armour that were worn by the samurai
were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the late 12th century until their abolition in 1876. They were the well-paid retainers of the '' daimyo'' (the great feudal landholders). They h ...
class and their retainers in feudal Japan. These include the ''sōmen'', ''menpō'', ''hanbō'' or ''hanpō'', and ''happuri''.
Description
The ''men-yoroi'', which covered all or part of the face, provided a way to secure the top-heavy ''kabuto
' (兜, 冑) is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors which, in later periods, became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan.
Note that in the Ja ...
'' (helmet). The ''Shinobi-no-o'' (chin cord) of the kabuto would be tied under the chin. Small hooks called ''ori-kugi'' or posts called ''odome'' located on various places would help secure the chin cord. The ''men-yoroi'' was constructed from iron, leather, or a combination of both. It had a lacquered or rusted type of finish and included a variety of facial details, such as a moustache
A moustache (; en-US, mustache, ) is a strip of facial hair grown above the upper lip. Moustaches have been worn in various styles throughout history.
Etymology
The word "moustache" is French, and is derived from the Italian ''mustaccio'' ...
, fierce teeth and a detachable nose. With the exception of the happuri, a men-yoroi had a small hole underneath the chin for sweat drainage.
History
Face armour in Japan begins with the ''happuri'', which is depicted in Heian- and Kamakura-erayamato-e
is a style of Japanese painting inspired by Tang dynasty paintings and fully developed by the late Heian period. It is considered the classical Japanese style. From the Muromachi period (15th century), the term Yamato-e has been used to distingui ...
paintings, and is thought to have appeared during the 10th or 11th centuries.''Oriental Armour''Robinson, H. R. United States: Dover Publications. 2013 pp. 194 It is depicted as being worn with or without a helmet by both mounted warriors and foot retainers. By the 14th century, the hōate appears, and according to Tom Conlan, this development is behind decreased facial wound statistics. However, others, such as Yamagishi Sumio, believe that the hōate was not widespread at that time, as it—and the later menpō—restricted the vision of the wearer. Hōate are also portrayed in art and literature of the period, most notably the Aki no yo no Nagamonogatari scroll and Taiheiki. The menpō (half-mask with detachable nosepiece) and the sōmen (full face mask) are believed to have been introduced around the mid to late 15th century, and the hanbō (chinguard) in the second half of the 16th century.
Types of ''men-yoroi''
''Sōmen''
''Sōmen'' covered the entire face.''Menpō''
''Menpō'' covered the face from the nose down to the chin.''Hanbō'' (''hanpō'')
''Hanbō'' covered the lower face from under the nose to the chin.''Happuri''
''Happuri'' covered the forehead and cheeks.Parts of the ''men-yoroi''
See also
*Japanese armour
Scholars agree that Japanese armour first appeared in the 4th century, with the discovery of the cuirass and basic helmets in graves. During the ''Heian period'' (794-1185), the unique Japanese samurai armour '' ō-yoroi'' and ''dō-maru'' appe ...
Notes
:1.See http://digital.princeton.edu/heijiscroll/ or Heiji monogatari.References
External links
Samurai Arms and Armor
{{Japanese (samurai) weapons, armour and equipment Medieval helmets Samurai armour Masks in Asia Military masks