Tetsu Kuriiro Urushi Nuri Ressei-Men of Nara Style Menpo, Japan
Circa: Edo Period 19th Century
Materials:: Iron, Leather, Lacquer, Gold, Silk
Provenance: Private collection in Japan
Dimensions: 12” high x 7” wide x 5.5” deep
Crafted in the distinctive Nara school style, this lacquered russet iron menpo showcases a fierce expression, with pronounced lines at the high cheekbones and lower mouth corners. Its slender facial structure tapers elegantly to a strong, squared chin. The nose, notched at the bridge, is designed with a wider stance and features a removable section. The upper lip is lacquered in red, adorned with gilt gold teeth and detailed with horsehair accents. The interior is finished in red lacquer, incorporating a simple ase-nagashi-no-ana (drain hole) to manage moisture during battle.
The yodare-kake throat guard aligns seamlessly with the menpo, featuring four ita-mono plates made from russet iron, gilded in gold lacquer, and meticulously laced in a traditional kebiki-odoshi style with yellow and dark blue silk braids. The fourth lame is particularly striking, with a textured iron finish—likely leather over lacquered iron—offering a speckled gold appearance, enhancing the overall grandeur of the piece.
Shipping included to the continental U.S.
Circa: Edo Period 19th Century
Materials:: Iron, Leather, Lacquer, Gold, Silk
Provenance: Private collection in Japan
Dimensions: 12” high x 7” wide x 5.5” deep
Crafted in the distinctive Nara school style, this lacquered russet iron menpo showcases a fierce expression, with pronounced lines at the high cheekbones and lower mouth corners. Its slender facial structure tapers elegantly to a strong, squared chin. The nose, notched at the bridge, is designed with a wider stance and features a removable section. The upper lip is lacquered in red, adorned with gilt gold teeth and detailed with horsehair accents. The interior is finished in red lacquer, incorporating a simple ase-nagashi-no-ana (drain hole) to manage moisture during battle.
The yodare-kake throat guard aligns seamlessly with the menpo, featuring four ita-mono plates made from russet iron, gilded in gold lacquer, and meticulously laced in a traditional kebiki-odoshi style with yellow and dark blue silk braids. The fourth lame is particularly striking, with a textured iron finish—likely leather over lacquered iron—offering a speckled gold appearance, enhancing the overall grandeur of the piece.
Shipping included to the continental U.S.
Circa: Edo Period 19th Century
Materials:: Iron, Leather, Lacquer, Gold, Silk
Provenance: Private collection in Japan
Dimensions: 12” high x 7” wide x 5.5” deep
Crafted in the distinctive Nara school style, this lacquered russet iron menpo showcases a fierce expression, with pronounced lines at the high cheekbones and lower mouth corners. Its slender facial structure tapers elegantly to a strong, squared chin. The nose, notched at the bridge, is designed with a wider stance and features a removable section. The upper lip is lacquered in red, adorned with gilt gold teeth and detailed with horsehair accents. The interior is finished in red lacquer, incorporating a simple ase-nagashi-no-ana (drain hole) to manage moisture during battle.
The yodare-kake throat guard aligns seamlessly with the menpo, featuring four ita-mono plates made from russet iron, gilded in gold lacquer, and meticulously laced in a traditional kebiki-odoshi style with yellow and dark blue silk braids. The fourth lame is particularly striking, with a textured iron finish—likely leather over lacquered iron—offering a speckled gold appearance, enhancing the overall grandeur of the piece.
Shipping included to the continental U.S.