Japanese Mempo/Menpo Samaruai Mask - Bird (1700)

Item 27

Location of Origin: Japan

Medium/Materials: Iron Lacquer

Dimensions: Mask - 7in (w) x 10in (h) x 5in (d). Glass display case - 12 (w) x12 (d) x18 (h).

Primary Classification: Collectibles : Arms and Armour : Armour / Helmets

Secondary Classification: Asian Art : Japanese

Expertise: Japanese Samurai masks are known by many names including: mempo / menpo, hanbo / hambo, and somen. Menpo/Mempo are face masks that cover only half of the face (the present example is a Mempo), while Somen are full face masks and Hanbo/Hambo are masks that only cover the cheeks.

The samurai were the warrior class in Japan that served to protect the nobility and first appeared in the 9th century. The origins of the Samurai were considered civilians and had to provide their own weapons and were the first organized army in Japan. Later feudal lords developed their own armies instilling the idea that it was shameful not to have risked one's life in the line of duty and thus the modern idea of the Samurai was created. In the 16th century Jesuit leader Saint Francis Xavier noted that "There is no nation in the world which fears death less."

Provenance: Private New England Collection

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