Men-yoroi

Men-yoroi (面鎧), also called menpō (面頬) or mengu (面具),[1][2][3] are various types of facial armour that were worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. These include the somen, menpō, hanbo or hanpo, and happuri.

"Mengu" redirects here. For the Burmese village, see Meng-u. For the emperor known as Mengu, see Möngke Khan. For the Turkish name, see Mengü.
A Japanese Edo period wood block print of various types of men-yoroi or mengu (facial armour).

Description

The men-yoroi, which covered all or part of the face, provided a way to secure the top-heavy kabuto (helmet). The Shinobi-no-o (chin cord) of the kabuto would be tied under the chin.[4] 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, fierce teeth and a detachable nose.[5][6] With the exception of the happuri, a men-yoroi had a small hole underneath the chin for sweat drainage.

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.

file:warframe. JPG

Happuri

Happuri covered the forehead and cheeks.

Parts of the men-yoroi
  • Odome, an attachment post for securing the chin strap of a kabuto (helmet).
  • Ori-kugi, an attachment hook for securing the chin strap of a kabuto (helmet).
  • Ase nagashi no ana, a drain hole (or tube) for perspiration located under the chin of various mengu.
  • Yodare-kake, throat guard on various mengu.

See also

References
  1. Arms and armor of the samurai: the history of weaponry in ancient Japan, Authors Ian Bottomley, Anthony Hopson, Contributor Anthony Hopson, reprint, Publisher Crescent Books, 1993, Original from the University of Virginia, Digitized Aug 26, 2008, ISBN 978-0-517-10318-0 P.77,178, 186
  2. The Watanabe Art Museum Samurai Armour Collection (Kabuto & Mengu, Volume I Trevor Absolon (Author), Brian Snoody (Illustrator), Barry Till (Preface), Anthony J. Bryant (Editor), Trevor Absolon & Dave thatcher (Photographer), Ian Bottomley (Introduction), Ian Bottomley & Anthony J. Bryant (Foreword) Publisher(Toraba), 2011 P.234
  3. Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior, Author Clive Sinclaire, ,Publisher Globe Pequot, 2004, ISBN 978-1-59228-720-8 P.30,138
  4. Samurai 1550-1600, Anthony J. Bryant, Angus McBride, Osprey Publishing, 1994 p.28
  5. Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior, Author Clive Sinclaire, Publisher Globe Pequot, 2004, ISBN 978-1-59228-720-8 P.30,138
  6. he Watanabe Art Museum Samurai Armour Collection (Kabuto & Mengu, Volume I) Trevor Absolon (Author), Brian Snoody (Illustrator), Barry Till (Preface), Anthony J. Bryant (Editor), Trevor Absolon & Dave thatcher (Photographer), Ian Bottomley (Introduction), Ian Bottomley & Anthony J. Bryant (Foreword) Publisher(Toraba), 2011 P.234]
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