Mask
dated 1713
Medium
Iron, lacquer
Dimensions
H. 8 9/16 in. (21.7 cm); W. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm); D. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 5.7 oz. (614 g)
Classification
Armor Parts-Masks
Culture
Japanese
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Bashford Dean, 1914
Accession Number
14.100.45
Tags
About this artwork
This iron and lacquer mask, or menpo, was created by Myōchin Muneakira in 1713 when he was thirty-one years old, as documented by an inscription on the underside of the chin. The mask displays fierce facial features designed to protect the face in battle while intimidating opponents, demonstrating the dual functional and psychological purposes of samurai armor. The work shows pronounced individualistic and artistic style combined with technical mastery of repousse hammering, the technique of cre...