The Styles of Menpo - Samurai Face Masks

In this quick video we dive in and discuss the different designs/styles of Samurai face masks and theorize as to what some of them mean and why they were used.

Check out Samurai headwear videos in accompaniment to this one:
"Samurai Face Masks" by Samurai and Ninja History

Sources Used:
"The Book of Samurai: Arms, Armor, & the Tactics of Warfare" By Antony Cummins and Yoshie Minami
"Samurai Weapons & Fighting Techniques" by Thomas Conlan

Music:
"Sinfonia Tapkaara" by Akira Ifukube

Artwork and Images:
Photographs from Museum exhibits
Classical art, which in most cases can be considered public domain.
Other modern artist renditions and photos, if you see your work in this video please contact me so that I can give you proper credit!

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Social Media:

#Samurai #History #Japan

[IKEMENOsakaman]

If your opponent is scared you can intimidate him. If your opponent is angry you can bait him into exposing himself. If your opponent is calm you had better be at your best because he is.

[supersasukemaniac]

part of me has always held the idea that a part of the Devil Shibata nickname for Katsuie was probably inspired by a demonic looking mask he probably wore, also the full face mask that looked like Bishomonten, I could seriously see Uesugi Kenshin wearing that during ceremonies or something since he considered himself an Avatar of Bishomonten.

[stevenmitchell]

Interesting that it's often overlooked that the Samurai were headhunters. They habitually took the heads and helmets of their enemies and displayed them to intimidate their opponents.

[lucycooper]

Having spent some time high medieval European helmets and modern fencing masks, I have to say that the menpo doesn't look too bad. I also suspect that there may have been some form of internal padding to improve fit and reduce sweating, since metal on skin tends to chafe over long periods.

[-RONNIE]

I really did enjoy this video. I learned a couple of new things. Thank you for sharing it with us & keep up the good work 👍🏻

[jimross]

As unusual you describe and explain. I learn things I did not know, and frankly had not thought about.

[nemesis]

Facial haired ones looks ridiculous and awesome at the same time. My favorite is demon looking ones, they could spread fear at the battlefield. I always imagine red devils of Takeda wear them and after Takeda's downfall Naomasa Ii and his soldiers wear them.

[Mohammed-Baqer-]

The menpo in my opinion the most badass looking mask

[Srrrgp]

Nice vid!
I see you included an image of amakusa shirō. Have you tackled the shimabara rebellion already?
I recommend reading a book called “christ’s samurais”, it is just fantastic.

[justanothertrash]

I was just searching for traditional samurai face masks as inspiration for a character's design and this came right in time!

[twinblades-thewilltokeeplo]

Always thought that Kosaka Masanobu was a badass because of his mask when I played Nobunaga's Ambition games when I was a kid. Can't wait for Nobunaga's Ambition Shinsei English version. =)

[ShuajoX]

Masks worn close to the face would do little to stop blunt force when compared to a full faced helmet.

I myself own a set of modern made samurai armor. The nose piece on my menpo comes off too easily. I've heard menpo had a hole on the chin for sweat drainage, but mine lacks such a feature.

The fearsome look is great psychological warfare.

[KaiDaigneau]

This video has been very informative indeed! I'm working on a face mask as part of a suit of cosplay samurai armor, and this is important stuff for me to learn about. Your hard work is greatly appreciated :)

[Alyoscha_TAHK]

The tengubo look beautiful❤️Outstanding works of art💯

[samwill]

If you gotta wear it to keep from getting an arrow or a spear to the face then you might as well make it look cool.

[AntonyCummins]

Always awesome. I think this month is the highest number of videos

[joaomanoel]

Please, a vídeo about mercenary samurai in southeast asian, there is a book about ito called The lost samurai by Stephen turnbull.

[mikotagayuna]

It can be tedious to wear face masks in these times so I got one designed to look like Menpo. Now, I can glare menacingly at strangers while clutching the hilt of my non-existent katana while walking to work.

[Surfklone]

I love going down these rabbit holes. Great hangover cure. Proceed sir.😂

[Ming]

The appeal of making a form and function armor always attracts artist.