An Excellent Mempo, Early Edo Period (circa 1600-1650). A good example of an early Edo period Ryubu men (brave and composed expression). The surface dressed and finished to the highest standard in russet iron, complete with a boar hair kuchi (moustache) and a four lame kuro urushi sugake odoshi tare (four plate black lacquered throat guard) laced in dark blue silk. The interior lacquered red.

Notes:
For a similar example see Katchumen by Kazuo Iida menpo No. 51 attributed to Nakafuri Sanechika of the Myochin School.