Menpō: The Samurai Face Mask

A samurai in full armor no longer looked entirely human. Above the lamellar cuirass rose the kabuto helmet with its sweeping curves. Beneath it, an iron half-mask covered the face from the chin to the bridge of the nose — the menpō.

Together, helmet and mask created an alien, almost demonic figure: angry creases around the mouth, bared teeth, and a bushy moustache. The human being behind the armor disappeared.