Facial Protection Called Mempo, Entirely Incised. Japan, Momoyama Period, 17th Century.

FACE PROTECTION called MEMPO, FULLY INCISED
Japan, Momoyama period, 17th century
Wrought iron, horsehair, fabric, and lacquer
H: 22; W: 25; D: 12.5 cm

Me no shita men type mempo, consisting of a half mask in natural iron with traces of black lacquer; the cheekbones are prominent; it is monoxyl for the lower part of the face; the nose and upper lip, adorned with a brown horsehair moustache, form a second removable assembly. The mempo is covered with evenly spaced incisions (katakiri).
The interior is lacquered red.
The gorget has four black lacquered iron blades, assembled with blue cotton laces.
It is pierced in three places: at the nostrils, in two oval cavities, allowing for easy breathing, and at the mouth.

This model, certainly from the early 17th century, has not been restored on the outside; the moustache shows the roots of the horsehair. The red lacquer on the reverse has been partially reattached. Small losses on the gorget.

The piece is quite rare. On a base.

Ref.LP6406
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON