Menpo Taisho
(Face Armor)

Menpo (or men yoroi) is the term for various types of facial armor worn by the samurai warrior class and their retainers in Feudal Japan. This Taisho Class menpo is a copy of an original, which features a kuchi hige (mustache), shiwa (facial wrinkles), odayori ore kugi (posts),  hana (detachable nose guard), mimi (ear covers) and tare (throat guard). 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 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 the armor crafted by Iron Mountain Armory, are fully functional and full sized. Our samurai menpo look great displayed with one of our gallery mask stands, worn or displayed on your armor. Upgrade your current men yoroi. Great for re-enactment, SCA, LARP, Cosplay or decoration.

Features: Taisho Class Menpo

• Traditional design.
• Full sized and functional.
• Mustache is goat or yak hair (depending on mustache style requested).
• Various nose, tare, paint, art silk lace and mustache options available.

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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