A yoshiryu style mempo [face mask] | Edo period, 18th century

The Property of a European Collector

A yoshiryu style mempo [face mask]

Edo period, 18^th century 

the iron mempo [face mask] forged in yoshiryu style with smooth unwrinkled face, open mouth, detachable nose plate with stylised butterfly hinges, yadome [standing flanges] to the cheeks, inlaid silver moustache, red lacquer interior, rare feature of slight piercing under the chin, five-tiered black lacquer and gilded leather yodaregake [throat protector] with sugake odoshi [spaced-lacing] in dark blue braid, the illustrated fitted black metal stand is sold with this lot 

16.5 cm., 6½ in. wide