Hoate Taisho

This Hoate (Cheek guard) is a taisho quality mengu (facial armor) without a nose, that covers the face below the eyes to below the chin, including the tare (throat guard).  The Hoata provided the needed basic jaw, chin and throat protection and was the mengu of choice by samurai warriors for combat, as it didn’t impede vision or breathing.

History: The Hoate 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 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 Hoata, 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: Taisho Hoate.

• Full sized and functional.
• Various paint and art silk lace options available.  
• Traditional Design.  

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