Vintage Japanese Singed Wood, Lacquer Noh Mask of ‘Omoikane-no-mikoto’, God of Disaster/Protection | Traditional Kagura Dance/Demon Bagairu. Artist: Seiyu

Dimensions: 8-0”h x 6-1/2” w and 4-1/2”d

This mask of Omoikane-no-mikoto is a vintage wood-carved base with lacquer coating. His face is extremely expressive with folds in his forehead and crinkly wide nose nose, and downturned lips. He has horsehair for his eyebrows and beard. The top of his forehead, ears, with dark gold sagging eye bags outlined in red, with a black lacquered mouth. There are several interpretations of this mask since the act appeared in numerous theaters throughout Japan. This particular mask came from the Kyoto Kanze Noh Theatre and marked Acts 4,7,8. Noh mask carving was established as a hereditary art by family, and this piece was by a carver named Seiyu.

Difference between Kyogen and Noh:

Noh is a formal form of theatre involving music, dance, and drama performed in masks and elaborate costumes. Noh performances are traditionally all day and feature a play from each of the five categories: God, Warrior, Woman, Deranged, and Demon. Each category has a specific mask and costume in which the Shite performs the main role. Noh is developed with Kyogen comic performances offered as an intermission from the longer play.

Kyogen is a form of traditional Japanese theatre that developed as a sort of intermission and comic relief between the solemn Noh acts. The Kyogen is very short, so costumes, masks, and props are simple and minimal with music produced by flute, drums, and gong to stimulate the imagination of Noh play audiences.

Condition: Excellent with minimal surface imperfections, except on the tip of the nose. No missing elements or chipping.