Brown Lacquered Menpo

01 Nara Menpo

Magnificent antique 17 th century
JAPANESE SAMURAI MENPO , OF THE NARA STYLE
Referred to in Japanese as "Meno Shita Ho", which covers the face and nose below the level of the eyes.
This menpo is covered with a brown lacquer type seldom seen and by aging has acquired a beautiful pattern of very small hairline cracks, which very much adds to the character of this mask.

It has an excellent quality four lame "Yodarekake" (Throat defense) with exceptional fine silk bound, black lacquered "Kiritsuke Kozane" (Lame plates).

Gilt teeth, red lacquered gums and a fearsome moustache.
Cinnabar red lacquered interior.

Overall condition of this early period menpo is very good.