Why Samurai Armor have Masks #Shorts

The part of the samurai armor that protects the face is called 面頬 menbō.

But did they have to be so gorgeous?

Menbō is believed to have existed from the Heian period (794-1185), but it was in the late Muromachi period (1336-1573) that it started to develop in its own unique way.

Why this time period?

It is said because this was the era when Noh theatre, the traditional performance using masks, became popular. In other words, under the influence of Japan's oldest stage performance art, the menbō came to serve as a decorative mask.

Vigorous and angry expressions sparked the fighting spirit of the person wearing it, the unnatural smiling ones baffled the enemies, and the ones imitating a tengu was for gaining divine power, and so on.

By the way, the membō can be divided into five types: Happuri, Hitai-até, Hanbō, Menoshita-bō, and Sōmen. The ones with facial expressions are Menoshita-bō and Sōmen.

However Sōmen are obviously not designed to be very efficient in actual battle, and it is said that most of them were probably created for ornamental purposes around the peaceful Edo period.

If you’d like to learn more about Japanese traditional culture, Kyoto, and social problems in Japan, please check out my channel & subscribe!

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

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#samuraiarmor #menbo #samuraimask

[LetsaskShogo]

The part of the samurai armor that protects the face is called 面頬 menbō.

But did they have to be so gorgeous?

Menbō is believed to have existed from the Heian period (794-1185), but it was in the late Muromachi period (1336-1573) that it started to develop in its own unique way.

Why this time period?

It is said because this was the era when Noh theatre, the traditional performance using masks, became popular. In other words, under the influence of Japan's oldest stage performance art, the menbō came to serve as a decorative mask.

Vigorous and angry expressions sparked the fighting spirit of the person wearing it, the unnatural smiling ones baffled the enemies, and the ones imitating a tengu was for gaining divine power, and so on.

By the way, the membō can be divided into five types: Happuri, Hitai-até, Hanbō, Menoshita-bō, and Sōmen. The ones with facial expressions are Menoshita-bō and Sōmen.

However Sōmen are obviously not designed to be very efficient in actual battle, and it is said that most of them were probably created for ornamental purposes around the peaceful Edo period.

If you’d like to learn more about Japanese traditional culture, Kyoto, and social problems in Japan, please check out my channel & subscribe!

*The content is based on personal studies and experience
There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects

[bluecloud]

Somehow i knew, the video wouldn't end without the Edo period being mentioned

[insertchannelname]

Of course it had to be gorgeous, gotta flex on your enemies

[wendigowithaninternetconne]

My grandfather told me the japanese were geniuses because even when a samurai fell in battle his corpse would not look weak. The enemy would see even in death a wrathful face

[BladedHistory]

I always thought the mask was to scare their opponent in battle and making them appear as some kind of monster or demon. Very educational, thank you!

[zackallen]

Only within the last year I just started to see a similarity between samurai mask and the face of Gundam in anime. It was at that moment when I realized that the Gundam were basically giant robot samurai. 🤯

[katyungodly]

"Did they have to be so gorgeous?"

Them: 👺

[pandoratheclay]

So samurai get beautiful masks because theater was a booming industry?

And of course, why not look fabulous on the battlefield

[sully]

The Menbo and the somen masks are very striking I hope to own a few as collectables.

[RayaPutra]

Recently playing Ghost of Tsushima. Now i know what the mask means. Thanks a lot Shogo for this info. 🙏

[roof]

“But did they have to be so gorgeous?”

[catalinacurio]

Of course they had to be gorgeous! 🇯🇵

[Smith.JohnSmith]

Love how you explain everything, very easy to understand, informative, and detailed. Keep up the great work!

[LoverofChildren]

I'm truly impressed he mentioned the Heian period without anyone going nuts

[Abeginnerchannel_]

Samurai rule 1: Look Cool
Samurai rule 2: Have a Dripped out Katana
Samurai rule 3: Flex your Drip

[WutWo]

The short answer is that yes, samurai masks do have to be that gorgeous

[rupertcortes]

Scaring your enemies or hiding your identity.

[astroboy]

This is some of the best content on youtube thank you sir

[ashutoshkaushal]

Reason: Jin Sakai's ghost stance 😂

[Toastoffire]

"ドリップがなきゃ、敗れる"
Isshin Dripshina