Full Mask (Sōmen)
Myōchin family Japanese
Masks have long played an important role in Japanese culture: in religious ceremonies, dance, Noh theater, and military costume. For samurai, masks initially served as a principal face defense and helped secure the helmet to the head more firmly, but with the peaceful Edo period, masks became demonstrations of the creativity and metalworking skill of armorers. This full mask (sōmen) is such an Edo period example, made in the 17th to 18th century by the prestigious Myōchin clan as an homage to their famous 16th century ancestor, Nobuie. The inscription on the bottom outside of the chin, 明珎信家作 Myōchin Nobuie saku (Made by Myōchin Nobuie), is therefore a later addition, and serves to reinforce the purpose of this mask as an act of respectful commemoration.
