Samurai Mengu, Armoured Face Masks

A Unique Component of the Iconic Samurai Armour.

The mengu, also known as menpo, armoured facemasks, are a unique component of the iconic samurai armour. Its function is twofold. Primarily it serves to protect the samurai’s face and throat, particularly as battlefield warfare exposed the warriors to arrow fire, matchlock gunfire, spear thrusts, missiles such as stones, and sword blades. In close combat, when as a last resort swords were drawn against armoured opposition they were used less with a hitting chopping action, more with a stabbing, cutting action. The main points targeted being the vulnerable face and throat, and the neck area where major arteries are found, hence the need for face and throat protection.