Samurai Face Guard

Black-lacquered rawhide samurai half-mask (nerigawa kuro urushi nuri menpo). The nose piece (hana no ita) is no longer present but there are attachment points in the form of pinned hinges as evidence that it once existed. A flange (yadome) on each cheek is designed to both deflect arrows and help secure the helmet cord. Posts (odome) protrude from either side of the chin, also to help fasten the helmet cord. A long beard (ago hige) is present beneath the lower lip. The interior of the mask is painted with red lacquer. A dark green cord (kake o) is attached to one cheek and would tie behind the head when the mask was worn. A five lame throat guard (tare), is attached to the mask beneath the chin. Each rawhide lame is coated with black lacquer, though much of it has chipped off. The lames are connected to one another with faded blue lacing in the sugake-odoshi style. The bottom lame showcases a row of tweed lacing above a bottom row of faded orange lacing in a cross knot pattern. Tweed laces also line the left and right edges of the throat guard.