A Fine Vintage Japanese Noh Mask on Laquer Base

146 A Fine Japanese Noh Mask The subject item is a Noh mask. A description from the International Noh Institute: "Carved from Japanese cypress (hinoki) using traditional chisels and templates and finished with the crushed shell powder (gofun), animal glue (nikawa), and mineral pigments (iwa-enogu), the same materials used in traditional Japanese painting (nihonga). It can take as long as eight months to a year to complete the process of sculpting and painting a noh mask. While the noh masks are generally copies (utsushi) of traditional works, the carver always strives to discover and re-create the essence of the original mask. This requires not only technical skill but an understand and appreciation of noh itself. Through subtle nuances of carving and coloring discovered and developed through years of training and experience, the power of the masks is brought to life. A good mask is a medium for projecting emotion to an audience over a considerable physical distance. The proper modeling of the back of the mask facilitates the projection of the voice. Ultimately, a noh mask’s true beauty and character are realized when an actor wearing it on stage successfully unites intention, Chant, and movement. When these conditions are fulfilled, a state of yūgen – a harmony realized in the of the present moment – is born." This mask has been tie-mounted on a round, red lacquer base for wall display. The outer rim of the base has been dinged, the deepest being at the top. There is also a small paint loss to the tip of the nose. This damage would not be a difficult and/or expensive repair. See photos. Base: 15 Inches diameter Mask: 8.5 x 5 Inches