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Japanese Noh theater mask * polychrome wood representing a demon face grimacing from Japan, Edo period of the nineteenth century.
This mask is in good condition. The eyes and nostrils are pierced.
A note: slight injuries and lack of polychrome, dirt and wear of time, see pictures.
We put other Noh masks for sale on this site.
is one of the traditional styles of Japanese theater from a religious conception and aristocratic life. Noh combines chronic worms danced in pantomimes. Featuring sumptuous costumes and special masks (there are 138 different masks), actors essentially play for shoguns and samurai. Masks are used for all roles of shite except roles of children and adults living men (as opposed to ghosts). When the shite play without a mask, he must keep a neutral expression, just as if it was still a mask. The design of Noh masks mixes real and symbolic elements, their goal being to learn about the character type as well as on his mood. When he puts the mask, the actor symbolically leaves his own personality to take the character that will embody. The contemplation of the mask is thus part of the preparatory work for the role. In addition, due to the lighting, the expression of the mask is designed to be variable depending on the angle of exposure. The actor must constantly monitor and tilt his head to present to light the mask according to the desired orientation mood of his character. Demon masks, which can be open or closed mouth, are distinguished by the highly expressive strokes and golden brown eyes. These two elements express the raw power and savagery supernatural beings they represent. Only masks of female devils have horns; male does not.
