Question about menpo

I Have seen one with a hawk bill stylized nose/mouth on it. I cant recall any with a tiger face. In the context of the sca it is an awesome idea. Sounds like a good project!

This is why I asked first. I knew about the tengu style menpo with beaks, but I was unsure about other animal features.

I'll keep looking for a style of menpo that stands out as something I would really like. If I ever run across any documentation on a menpo using something other than a human/demon or tengu face I'll be sure to share my find here.

So far I've found documentable proof of 2 things that "didnt exist in japan in period"...shields and straight, double edged katana...so who knows, I might find an example of a tiger menpo.

Until then, I'll stick with the normal face style menpo.

Thanks
Arashi

Thats a funny menpo. You know, Nissan Maxima writes that people stare at his menpo in awe and then just let him kill them. I fear this menpo may have the exact opposite effect!

Well, I did managed to find one example of a cat menpo...its not a period piece...its a modern creation...but still kinda cool looking, so I thought I would share it here.

Yes, the artist who made that kabuto/menpo makes art sculptures of armor for various animals. (Cats, mice, dogs, etc)

There is a full set of kitty samurai armor that goes along with this as well as full sets of europeon themed armor in multiple styles.

I've looked at photos of hundreds of period and reproduction menpos in my researching over the last few days. Very few deviate from the typical human face styles, there are the occasional tengu beaked styles, and many of the full face somen menpo seem to be more demonic looking than human. So far the only animal themed menpo I have found that has any kind of period documentation has been the monkey one I linked above.

I do enjoy researching on topics I have an interest in, so I will continue studying menpo and reporting back when I find interesting results.

Arashi

Yea...the monkey menpo is ugly and silly looking, but it is documentable proof that not all menpo are human, oni, or tengu faces.

I'll probably just end up with a basic bargrill face due to price and all, if I do anything I may add a removable menpo that can attach over or in place of the bargrill. Haven't had much chance to talk to the armorer I was discussing the helmet with since I started researching, so I'm not sure how things will shape up at this point.

Arashi

Tigers may not be indigenous to the islands of Japan, but they are certainly represented throughout the art, history, and mythology of Japan.

Being a white guy wanting to do a japanese persona, I decided to somewhat mirror William Adams / Blackthorne...a western sailor living in Japan. Being a white westerner, who is also a warrior (I do SCA heavy fighting) I thought Byakko might be a fitting symbol for me. White Tiger...guardian of the west...etc..etc...a few correlations there.

Personally, I think a tiger menpo would be one of the least offensive things I've seen done with japanese personas...it would certainly stand out less than tennis shoes for example...plus this is the SCA we are talking about...not a true living history group...creative is our middle name.

Could be worse, I could run around Pennsic in a leather thong with elf ears, vampire fangs, and steampunk goggles...not that I've never seen such a thing before...