Condition : Old Vintage Condition
Origin : 100% MADE IN JAPAN
Material : Wood
Age : Late Early Showa
Dimension : approx H22.6 cm × W15 cm × D8.5 cm(8.90 in × 5.91 in × 3.35 in)
There are approximately 60 kinds of Noh masks.
The origin of “Noh” is from the entertainment called “Sangaku” which was transmitted from China in the Nara era.
From the beginning of the Heian period, “Sangaku” spreads across Japan and gradually becomes known as “Sarugaku.”
It is the beginning of the Noh mask that some mask bearers dance as “gods” in the festival praying for world peace and abundant harvest.
“Oni (Demon)” mask was made at the very beginning of Noh mask history alongside with the god “Okina”, then several Noh masks of “Human transcendent existence” were made.
A genius “Zeami” dramatically changed the “Sarugaku” in the Muromachi era.
He has developed “Sarugaku” that was entertainment for the masses into highly artistic “Noh.”
Noh masks have unclear emotions on them and are finished with an uncertain “intermediary facial expression.
” Especially, female Noh masks are made to be able to express pleasure, joy, loneliness and sadness by face up and face down.
Please take a look and compare the different facial expressions from above and bottom of a mask on your hands.
Han-nya 般若
It looks a scary demon; however, it is a female mask.
Sorrow is obscured in the intensity such as jealousy, anger and resentment.
It could be said the Han-nya mask is a masterpiece whose women’s “soul” is condensed.
