Akuma Koshaku Menpo

Akuma Kōshaku Menpō (Demon Lord’s face armor) is a Taisho Class handcrafted menpo, which features kiba (fangs) as well as shiwa (facial wrinkles), odayori ore kugi (posts), hana (detachable nose guard), mimi (ear covers)and tare (throat guard).  The samurai likely believed the kiba struck fear into the hearts of their foe while warning off any evil spirits. One thing is for sure, this menpo does give the samurai wearing it an intimidating war face. This menpo makes a great display piece when mounted to our menpo stand or can dramatically change the personality of your current armor. The menpo in our catalog features the optional fukurin (brass trim), which can be added for additional cost in the product options when ordering. 

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 horse or yak hair (depending on mustache style requested)
• Various tare, paint, art silk lace and mustache options available 
• Taisho handcrafted quality, nose shape might change slightly

[table id=235 /]

[table id=PF /]

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