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Men-yoroi (面鎧), also called menpō (面頬)ormengu (面具),[1][2][3] are various types of facial armour that were worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. These include the sōmen, menpō, hanbōorhanpō, and happuri.
The men-yoroi, which covered all or part of the face, provided a way to secure the top-heavy kabuto (helmet). The Shinobi-no-o (chin cord) of the kabuto would be tied under the chin.[4] Small hooks called ori-kugi or posts called odome located on various places would help secure the chin cord. The men-yoroi was constructed from iron, leather, or a combination of both. It had a lacquered or rusted type of finish and included a variety of facial details, such as a moustache, fierce teeth and a detachable nose.[5][6] With the exception of the happuri, a men-yoroi had a small hole underneath the chin for sweat drainage.
Face armour in Japan begins with the happuri, which is depicted in Heian- and Kamakura-era yamato-e paintings[1] and is thought to have appeared during the 10th or 11th centuries.[7] It is depicted as being worn with or without a helmet by both mounted warriors and foot retainers. By the 14th century, the hōate appears, and according to Tom Conlan,[8] this development is behind decreased facial wound statistics. However, others, such as Yamagishi Sumio, believe that the hōate was not widespread at that time,[9] as it—and the later menpō—restricted the vision of the wearer.[7] Hōate are also portrayed in art and literature of the period, most notably the Aki no yo no Nagamonogatari scroll[10] and Taiheiki. The menpō (half-mask with detachable nosepiece) and the sōmen (full face mask) are believed to have been introduced around the mid to late 15th century, and the hanbō (chin guard) in the second half of the 16th century.[7]
Sōmen covered the entire face.
Menpō covered the face from the nose down to the chin.
Hanbō covered the lower face from under the nose to the chin.
Happuri covered the forehead and cheeks.
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