Having the same double role as the helmet (kabuto in Japanese), to protect and to also inspire awe, the mempo (or mengu) facial mask worn by samurai on the battlefield was made to cover all the face or only a part of it. Photographed here is a mempo covering the entire face, a type called somen, and bellow it is the neck protection.

Samurai facial armour (mempo), Matsue castle, Shimane

EXIF Info:

Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Matsuyama camellia manhole cover