The Legend
Men-Yoroi (面鎧), also known as Menpo (面頬) or Mengu (面具), were facial armors utilized by feudal-era samurai. The masks served a two-fold purpose: to protect the face from enemy attacks, while also creating an aura of intimidation that would chip away at the enemy's resolve to fight. As such, these masks were usually crafted after the likeness of Oni (鬼) or wild animals.
The Mask
Collaborating with a master wood craftsman and aikido practitioner, we released our first version of the Men-Yoroi mask back in 2021.
While we received amazing feedback for the first iteration of the mask, our woodcrafter has always striven for perfection. He requested for us to remove the mask from the site until he could improve the design to his satisfaction.
We are excited to announce that he has finally completed his task, presenting us with the fully upgraded version of a beautifully handcrafted walnut wood mask that captures the core features of the traditional Men-Yoroi. With a real cork back and a soft leather lining, the mask is both comfortable to wear and extremely light in terms of weight.
The kanji for Aiki (合気) and Budō (武道) are engraved on the left and right of the mask, keeping in line with the values of traditional Aikido with regards to combat.
Dimensions: 5.5 inches by 7.5 inches
Instructions for Care
As the mask itself is durable and built to last, no particular care is needed to keep it maintained. Please refrain from folding the mask completely in half as that will damage the craftsmanship! Cleaning can be performed easily using a damp sponge or cloth as needed.
