DescriptionSamurai Somen (Japanese full iron face mask protection) A fantastic metal art form with the whole surface has developed into a deep russet iron finish. The metal has been carefully and masterfully worked to create wrinkles in the forehead, nose and cheeks. There are rope shaped eyebrows and fierce looking eyes. The mask is made up of five forged pieces that are riveted together. The inside is a deep dark lacquer, with some small chipping on edges as to be expected. Signed under chin: Fukutake Ichiro This genuine somen, Japanese full face mask was made by the late master Fukutake Ichiro (1928 – 2002). Ichiro signed his masks with a Ryu character which is rare to find as his signatures are often defaced or removed to conceal the true age in order to be sold as an older item. Ichiro is recognized as the most talented of Gendai smiths in the art of embossing. His works are of such high quality that many of his masks are now in collections of museums around the world, the Metropolitan Museum of New York, and have been sold at the major auction houses. He lived and worked in the Kurashiki area of Okayama.Dimensions: 7″ wide x 8″ high 6 7/8″ deep
