A mempo [face mask] | Signed in impressed gold leaf Myochin Nobuie and kao | Momoyama, late 16th century

A mempo [face mask] 

Signed in impressed gold leaf Myochin Nobuie and kao

Momoyama period, late 16^th century 

the black lacquered iron mempo [face mask] forged with smooth, unwrinkled face and open mouth, hinged nose plate, yadome [standing flanges] to the cheeks, hinged ear plates, horse hair moustache, two tier black lacquer yodaregake [throat protector] joined with kebiki odoshi [close-spaced lacing] in dark blue braid to the first tier and printed leather to the second tier, the mask with a gold leaf panel signed Myochin Nobuie and kao

16 cm., 6⅜ in. wide