New MaskIn the spring of 2013, I reconnected with mask maker, Jerry Wright. I took my original mask to him in hopes of getting it refreshed. After some talk I realized that it was almost 20 years old. After feeling new padding, I also realized that the padding in my almost 20 years old mask had become quite solid. Lasting 20 years is great value and a testament to the quality of the mask itself. Let’s face it……I take a lot of pucks off the melon! So, after some thought, my visit to see Jerry and get my mask ‘renovated’ changed to seeing what he had that’s new. He showed me a few models and I tried them all on. There was one in particular that he felt fit me best and offered me a great deal if it was interested. It took only a minute at most to agree to the deal. I returned home with my new mask. A new prototype from Jerry. I played the remaining 4 or so games with it. It sure felt different, but more snug.
Paint ThemeAlong came summer which was my chance to look for a painter. First step was to decide on a theme. I have been getting into my heritage and roots more lately and wanted to come up with a theme that encompasses my Japanese heritage and samurai family roots. Being happy with my original work (panthers head) by Mike Droesto, I searched for him. Through an old friend I tracked him down but saddened to hear that he had passed on a few years ago. I then searched the directory pages of InGoal online magazine and found a few that were local. After a couple had advertised some rates that were out of my reach I contacted mask painter Jay Plant in Kitchener. I had come up with an idea of what the mask would look like and searched the web for some sample pics that would do great for reference material. I sent them all to Jay. He returned a very impressive software generated draft. Once I confirmed the idea, he provided a quote that was quite reasonable. We then spent the next few weeks firming up the design. I then made a trip out to Kitchener to drop off the mask with Jay. Just short of 4 weeks later, the work was all done. The result is a fantastic looking mask with a couple of coats of automotive clear coat to protect the artwork and give it a nice shine.
Courtesy of Jay Plant at J&A Airbrush, click here to view the YouTube video of my mask being painted.
The DesignThe mask features a Japanese Samurai theme. Down the left side of the mask is a map of Japan over laying a scene with a Tori. The right side features a samurai on a horse. The forehead showcases a samurai’s head gear - mask and helmet. The chin has “Bushido” written in Kanji on stone overtop the Rising Sun flag. Spread out all over the mask subtly, are the kanji characters for the 7 virtues of Bushido. The back plate has a Canadian and Japanese flag as well as the crest of the samurai family we originated from.
Samurai 2 Mask
New Mask
In the fall of 2017 I learned that mask maker, Jerry Wright was retiring. His masks were all I had known and all I trusted. While I did not 'need' a new mask I also knew I could not wait until that day. So, I contacted, Jerry and made a visit. He did not have many and I selected one mask that felt pretty good. He prepared it for me and a week later I received it at my door along with some spare parts and accessories I requested. I will not be able to call him up for replacements or repairs so at least if I had the necessary items as spares, I could do the work myself. Things like a new chin cup, straps, and a spare cage just in case.
Paint ThemeI wanted to keep the same theme but go with something different at the same time. I decided on making this a dark mask. the first was based on a light background. This one will be based upon a dark background. I wanted to keep the same chin and keep the island of Japan down the left side. But I wanted to find a different samurai helmet/face mask to put on the forehead of the mask. I found one that was red and thought that would look really nice on the dark background. I also searched for a different samurai for the right side. I found a posed samurai with his sword up ready for battle and thought that would be perfect! I contacted mask painter, Jay Plant who did the work on the original samurai mask. He found a really nice shade of red for the forehead image that wasn't too bright and creates an intimidating feel to it. His input was again valuable. We tossed back and forth ideas on how much colour to use and what images would be in colour and what would be black and white. We decided to keep the forehead image in colour but the side images in black and white which aligns more with the concept of the first mask design. His work is again exceptional.
What is Bushido?Bushido
武士道 is literally the way of the warrior. It is the word for samurai life. Bushido originates from the samurai moral code stressing frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery and honour unto death.
The 7 virtues of Bushido:
